Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Charleston, SC: $67.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Charleston, SC runs $67.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $141,305 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $74.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,779 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Charleston, South Carolina, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $67.93, which falls below the national median of $73.02. This difference can influence choices for part-time or per diem work arrangements, as controllers may find varying opportunities at en route centers, TRACON facilities, and airport traffic control towers. In such environments, controllers often work in windowless control rooms or elevated towers, managing the complexities of air traffic. Entry-level positions typically start around $39.40 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $101.35 per hour. These figures highlight the potential for both stable income and significant earnings based on expertise and responsibility within this critical profession.
About the Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.40 | $315.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.92 | $391.33 |
| Median (P50) | $67.93 | $543.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.96 | $695.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101.35 | $810.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $67.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.93/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $141,299 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,519. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,717.28 | $11,775 | $141,299 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,630.37 | $7,065 | $84,779 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,086.91 | $4,710 | $56,520 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Charleston) | $67.93 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
| Avionics Technician (National Avg) | $34.67 |
| Flight Attendant (National Avg) | $33.75 |
Air Traffic Controllers in Charleston, SC earn a median of $141,305 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.97% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.20% above the South Carolina state average of $136,923.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.93/hr = $84,779/year (purchasing power: $92,655).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $141,299/year (purchasing power: $154,425).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Charleston grew 20.4% from $55.01/hr (2019) to $66.23/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.68/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.57% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Charleston
Part-time air traffic controllers working three days a week could expect to take home a considerably different income than their full-time counterparts. For example, a controller averaging 24 hours per week might see significant annual earnings that do not fully capture the potential of overtime pay. Many facilities are chronically understaffed, leading controllers to work 50-60 hours weekly, amplifying their effective hourly compensation well beyond base rates due to overtime pay. For those considering per diem air traffic controller pay in Charleston, opportunities arise during training transfers and other joint operations. However, it's essential to understand how hourly rates may vary across different employers. FAA en route centers, TRACONs, and airport traffic towers present varied earning potentials, wherein some may favor higher hourly rates without benefits, while others offer lower rates that include health insurance. For those negotiating hourly pay, expressing your flexibility to work additional shifts or weekends could leverage better pay rates in this competitive market.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Written by Jordan Lee, ATO
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience as an air traffic controller. He specializes in terminal area control at a major airport.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for air traffic controllers in Charleston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Charleston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.57%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov