Air Traffic Controller salary in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
Air Traffic Controllers in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn a median of $186,640 a year ($89.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 810 workers.
Pay ranges from $111,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,590 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is 5% higher than the Georgia statewide median of $178,420. There are 0.28 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $176,190, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $111,160 | $53.44 |
| 25th percentile | $166,380 | $79.99 |
| Median | $186,640 | $89.73 |
| 75th percentile | $209,370 | $100.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $217,590 | $104.61 |
| Average (mean) | $176,190 | $84.71 |
Half of air traffic controllers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $15,553.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,776.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,178.46 |
| Weekly | $3,589.23 |
| Hourly | $89.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $186,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for air traffic controllers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia | $191,820 |
| Illinois | $181,560 |
| Georgia | $178,420 |
| Colorado | $177,380 |
| Minnesota | $176,840 |
| Texas | $170,080 |
| Washington | $162,570 |
| California | $160,080 |
| Kansas | $159,700 |
| Indiana | $158,810 |
See Air Traffic Controller pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $618,090 | — |
| Commercial Pilot | $146,880 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $78,920 | $37.94 |
| Flight Attendant | $78,320 | — |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,160 | $17.39 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,100 | $28.41 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $44,710 | $21.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,290 | $31.39 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,960 | $21.61 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $41,080 | $19.75 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $47,310 | $22.75 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $31,690 | $15.24 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a air traffic controller make in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $186,640 a year, or $89.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $111,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn at least $217,590 a year. The top 25% earn $209,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $111,160 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $166,380 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
About 810 air traffic controllers are employed in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.