Air Traffic Controller Salary in Bartlett, TN: $140,229 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Bartlett, TN earns a median $140,229/year (≈ $67.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Bartlett's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $152,755 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an air traffic controller in Bartlett, Tennessee, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $140,229, reflecting a 7.67% lower rate than the national average of $151,886 for the same year. The salary range for this role in Bartlett varies significantly, with the bottom 10% earning approximately $81,333, while the top 10% can command as much as $198,356. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, highlight the earning potential for air traffic controllers within the local context. Given Bartlett's robust developmental controller economics, where a typical timeline of 1-3 years exists to achieve full pay, many aspiring controllers may find this a motivating factor for their career paths in this growing job market.
About the Bartlett Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,333 | $39.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,965 | $48.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,229 | $67.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,492 | $86.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,356 | $95.36 |
Median Salary Position
7.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bartlett
In Bartlett, TN, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,023 (2026 est.). At $140,229, the local median is 7.67% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bartlett: You'd be above the median
How Bartlett Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Bartlett median: $140,229/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bartlett Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $139,392 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | -7.67% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Bartlett, TN earn a median of $140,229 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.67% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 0.60% above the Tennessee state average of $139,392.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bartlett has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bartlett, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $140,229 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $152,755 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,551
2025 BLS Actual
$136,715
2026 Current Est.
$140,229
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Bartlett (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,551 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,792 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,836 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,176 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,715 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,229 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,832 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bartlett metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $113,551 (2019) to $136,715 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,832 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,281 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bartlett 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) | $81,333 – $100,965 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,965 – $140,229 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,229 – $179,492 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,492 – $198,356 |
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 Bartlett
Currently, there are 13 air traffic controllers employed in Bartlett, TN, pointing towards a niche yet stable job market for this profession. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 91.8, which means that overall expenses are lower than the national average, potentially enhancing the purchasing power of those in the field. Among local employers, FAA en route centers likely offer the highest compensation, followed by terminal radar approach control facilities and airport traffic control towers. Pay disparities in the region can be attributed to various factors, including facility tier levels, certification status as a certified professional controller (CPC), shift differentials, and the prevalence of overtime. For controllers looking to maximize their salaries, gaining CPC status, targeting higher-tier facilities, and being open to shift work can significantly improve their earning potential in Bartlett, TN.
More salary data for Bartlett, 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
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 $136,715 for air traffic controllersin the Bartlett 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 Bartlett 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