Air Traffic Controller Salary in Cary, NC: $138,158 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Cary, NC earns a median $138,158/year (≈ $66.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $147,605 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a 2026 median air traffic controller salary in Cary, North Carolina, projected at $138,158, professionals in this field can expect to earn between $80,132 and $207,249 annually, depending on experience and certification level. This local estimate reflects adjustments based on state-level Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and regional cost factors. The pathway to achieving full pay typically requires 1 to 3 years for controllers arriving from the FAA Academy, as developmental controllers generally earn 65-75% of the full salary until they obtain their Certified Professional Controller (CPC) certification. Amid Cary's competitive job landscape, the solid compensation encourages aspiring controllers to consider this locale for their careers.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,132 | $38.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,473 | $47.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,158 | $66.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,415 | $84.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,249 | $99.64 |
Median Salary Position
9.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,117 (2026 est.). At $138,158, the local median is 9.04% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cary Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Cary median: $138,158/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $137,470 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -9.04% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Cary, NC earn a median of $138,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.04% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.50% above the North Carolina state average of $137,470.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $138,158 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,605 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,874
2025 BLS Actual
$134,696
2026 Current Est.
$138,158
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,874 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,632 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,023 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,297 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,963 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,839 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,696 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,158 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,708 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $111,874 (2019) to $134,696 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,708 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,834 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cary 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $80,132 – $99,473 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,473 – $138,158 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,158 – $176,415 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,415 – $207,249 |
ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual air traffic controller compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Air Traffic Controller Job Market in Cary
Analyzing the job market for air traffic controllers in Cary reveals 44 employed professionals, indicating a steady demand amid the ongoing staffing challenges within the FAA. The area's cost of living index of 93.6 suggests that salaries go further, enhancing the take-home purchasing power of controllers compared to many higher-cost regions. Among employers, FAA en route centers typically provide the highest pay, while tower positions or FAA contract towers come with lower compensation. Controllers can maximize their earnings by pursuing en route placements, which often offer significant shifts and overtime opportunities, alongside locality pay that varies by facility level. Strategies focused on advancing through CPC status and capitalizing on overtime due to staffing shortages will yield the best financial outcomes in the Cary air traffic controller pay landscape.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Cary?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $134,696 for air traffic controllersin the Cary metropolitan area. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cary 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