Air Traffic Controller salary in South Carolina
Air Traffic Controllers in South Carolina earn a median of $112,030 a year ($53.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,830 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $148,080. South Carolina ranks 32nd of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.08 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $110,990, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,680 | $34.46 |
| 25th percentile | $92,980 | $44.70 |
| Median | $112,030 | $53.86 |
| 75th percentile | $132,600 | $63.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,830 | $68.67 |
| Average (mean) | $110,990 | $53.36 |
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 | $9,335.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,667.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,308.85 |
| Weekly | $2,154.42 |
| Hourly | $53.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $105,740 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $143,580 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $33,590 | $16.15 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,470 | $30.51 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $22,240 | $10.69 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,900 | $19.18 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $30,490 | $14.66 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in South Carolina is $112,030 a year, or $53.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in South Carolina earn at least $142,830 a year. The top 25% earn $132,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,680 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $92,980 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in South Carolina?
About 190 air traffic controllers are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.