Air Traffic Controller salary in Tennessee
Air Traffic Controllers in Tennessee earn a median of $157,330 a year ($75.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 590 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $198,790 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $148,080. Tennessee ranks 13th of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.18 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $149,020, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| 25th percentile | $120,000 | $57.69 |
| Median | $157,330 | $75.64 |
| 75th percentile | $178,630 | $85.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $198,790 | $95.57 |
| Average (mean) | $149,020 | $71.64 |
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 | $13,110.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,555.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,051.15 |
| Weekly | $3,025.58 |
| Hourly | $75.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Air Traffic Controller salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $155,540 | 60 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $117,480 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $40,180 | $19.32 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $143,580 | — |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,450 | $16.08 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in Tennessee is $157,330 a year, or $75.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $198,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in Tennessee earn at least $198,790 a year. The top 25% earn $178,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,300 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $120,000 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Tennessee?
About 590 air traffic controllers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.