Air Traffic Controller Salary in Atlanta, GA
Air Traffic Controllers in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn a median $186,640 a year — 26% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $129,903 take-home, or $10,825 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median air traffic controller salary in Atlanta, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$33,528
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,706
- Georgia income tax$9,064
- Take-home pay$129,903
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 5.19% state
Air Traffic Controller pay by experience in Atlanta, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $111,160 | $53.44 | $81,885 | $6,824 |
| 25th percentile | $166,380 | $79.99 | $116,974 | $9,748 |
| Median (50th) | $186,640 | $89.73 | $129,903 | $10,825 |
| 75th percentile | $209,370 | $100.66 | $145,585 | $12,132 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $217,590 | $104.61 | $151,212 | $12,601 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $186,640 buys in Atlanta, GA
Prices in Atlanta, GA are 0.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.11× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median air traffic controller's $129,903 take-home pay has the buying power of $129,828 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Atlanta, GA has 1.9× the national concentration of air traffic controller jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for air traffic controllers, adjusted for cost of living
Atlanta, GA ranks #2 of 10 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas, TX | $186,510 | $138,870 | $134,708 |
| 2 | Atlanta, GA | $186,640 | $129,903 | $129,828 |
| 3 | Indianapolis, IN | $171,910 | $123,725 | $129,289 |
| 4 | Jacksonville, FL | $170,120 | $127,543 | $128,205 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $189,780 | $132,059 | $127,476 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $175,280 | $131,070 | $117,940 |
| 7 | Minneapolis, MN | $179,670 | $122,799 | $117,150 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $174,870 | $118,894 | $109,193 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 10 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a air traffic controller make in Atlanta, GA?
The median air traffic controller salary in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $186,640 a year, or about $89.73 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $166,380 and $209,370.
What is a air traffic controller’s take-home pay in Atlanta, GA?
On the median $186,640 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $129,903 a year ($10,825 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $9,064 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Atlanta, GA a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Pay here is 26% above the national median of $148,080. Local prices are 0.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $129,828 would in a typical U.S. city. Atlanta, GA ranks #2 of 10 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a air traffic controller afford rent in Atlanta, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Atlanta, GA is $1,646 a month ($1,806 for two bedrooms) — 15% of a median air traffic controller’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Atlanta, GA
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers — $239,200+
- Commercial Pilot — $146,880
- Transportation Inspector — $107,640
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $65,290
- Crane and Tower Operator — $62,910
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $59,100
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector — $47,840
- Bus Drivers, School — $47,310
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — $46,430
- Light Truck Driver — $44,960
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $44,710
- Driver/Sales Worker — $41,080