Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $68.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Knoxville, TN runs $68.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $141,698 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $74.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,022 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Knoxville, TN, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly wage of $68.13, which is slightly lower than the national median of $73.02. This hourly pay reflects the diverse working conditions found throughout the profession, including those in en route centers, terminal radar approach control facilities, and airport traffic control towers. For part-time controllers, working three days a week translates to over $1,000 per week, allowing for flexibility while still providing a competitive income. Entry-level professionals in Knoxville can expect to earn around $39.51 an hour, while seasoned controllers reach as much as $103.89 per hour. Given that these figures are estimates derived from annual salary data, they provide a solid insight into the earning potential across different experience levels in this region.
About the Knoxville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.51 | $316.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.05 | $392.39 |
| Median (P50) | $68.13 | $545.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87.19 | $697.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103.89 | $831.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $68.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.13/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $141,704 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,752. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,725.08 | $11,809 | $141,704 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,635.05 | $7,085 | $85,022 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,090.03 | $4,723 | $56,682 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Knoxville) | $68.13 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN earn a median of $141,698 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.71% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.60% above the Tennessee state average of $139,467.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.13/hr = $85,022/year (purchasing power: $92,617).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $141,704/year (purchasing power: $154,362).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Knoxville grew 20.4% from $55.17/hr (2019) to $66.42/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.88/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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville
Hourly earnings for air traffic controllers can significantly vary based on several factors, such as employment type and the particular facility in which they work. For those pursuing part-time work, a 24-hour work week might yield around $105,000 annually, while dedicated full-timers often see overtime compensation pushing their earnings to between $50,000 and $100,000 above their base pay, reflecting the chronic understaffing in the industry. Controller roles at FAA en route centers, terminal radar approach controls, and military installations each come with unique pay scales and benefits. Some controllers may opt for positions that offer lower hourly rates but include essential benefits like health insurance, while agency or per diem roles might come with negotiable training pay. Negotiating effectively is crucial, as hourly workers in Knoxville can leverage the demand for controllers, especially as the FAA looks to fill critical gaps in your local airspace management system.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Knoxville. 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 Knoxville 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