US
Nashville, TN
Tennessee salary market
$161K
Avg / Year
+11% vs U.S.
vs National
60
Employment
$13.4K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Air Traffic Controller Salary in Nashville, TN (2026)

The Air Traffic Controller salary in Nashville, TN for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Nashville, TN market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Nashville, TN city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$161K
per year
Entry Level
$82.5K
starting range
Senior Level
$181K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$164K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$13.4K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$72
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Air Traffic Controller Salary Overview in Nashville, TN

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Air Traffic Controller pay in Nashville, TN at about $160,920 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $77,010.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $171,100.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, Tn metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as Davidson, Murfreesboro, and Franklin.

If you’re comparing Air Traffic Controller salaries in Nashville, TN, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Nashville, TN vs. U.S. National Average

Nashville, TN pays +11% vs u.s. for Air Traffic Controller roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$145K
all U.S. markets combined
+11%
Nashville, TN Premium
Nashville, TN City Average
$161K
Air Traffic Controller
MarketProjected Salaryvs Nashville, TNMarket Maturity
Nashville, TN (this guide)$160,920BaselineLocal market
United States$144,580-10% vs U.S.National baseline
Clarksville, TN$121,580-24% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why Nashville, TN pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Air Traffic Controller Salary by Experience Level in Nashville, TN

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Nashville, TN, this breakdown shows how aAir Traffic Controller can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$130K
$77/hr median equivalent
$82.5K - $161K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$161K
$77/hr median equivalent
$130K - $181K
Senior
6-10 years
$181K
$77/hr median equivalent
$161K - $183K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$183K
$77/hr median equivalent
$181K - $224K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller0-2 years$130,122$82,495.0 - $160,920-10% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Air Traffic Controller3-5 years$160,920$130,122 - $180,748+11% vs U.S.
Senior Air Traffic Controller6-10 years$180,748$160,920 - $183,287+25% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Air Traffic Controller10+ years$183,287$180,748 - $223,610+27% vs U.S.
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Best Salary Areas Near Nashville, TN

Nearby metro areas help show how Air Traffic Controller pay changes around Nashville, TN. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
Nashville, TN
$161K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, Tn metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as Davidson, Murfreesboro, and Franklin.
This guide
#2
Clarksville, TN
$122K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Air Traffic Controller salaries around Nashville, TN.
-24% vs U.S.

Air Traffic Controller Salary by Industry in Nashville, TN

Industry premiums in Nashville, TN usually come from employers that place the Air Traffic Controller role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$164,370$61,630.0 - $208,260Stronger salary
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$153,420$85,380.0 - $212,100Stronger salary
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$153,420$85,380.0 - $212,100Stronger salary
Transportation and Warehousing$82,400.0$52,160.0 - $99,230.0Competitive
Educational Services$61,100.0$33,300.0 - $108,070Competitive

Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Nashville, TN

Entry-level Air Traffic Controller jobs in Nashville, TN are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Air Traffic Controller salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Air Traffic Controller roles in Nashville, TN is about $130,122.
Preparation pathJob Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Remote vs Onsite Air Traffic Controller Pay in Nashville, TN

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Air Traffic Controller candidates in Nashville, TN. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$160,920
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$164,138
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$157,702Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$164,138Metro dependentNashville, TN employersMedium
Onsite$160,920Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Nashville, TN

A salary in Nashville, TN should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$2.1K
$3.0K
$3.8K
Transport / commute
$469.4
$536.4
$603.4
Food and groceries
$1.0K
$1.1K
$1.2K
Utilities and internet
$469.4
$536.4
$603.4
Estimated remainder
$4.6K
$7.0K
$8.6K
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Top Employers Hiring Air Traffic Controllers in Nashville, TN

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Air Traffic Controller pay tends to be strongest in Nashville, TN, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employers
$164K
Industry benchmark for Air Traffic Controller roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$153K
Industry benchmark for Air Traffic Controller roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$153K
Industry benchmark for Air Traffic Controller roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Transportation and Warehousing employers
$82.4K
Industry benchmark for Air Traffic Controller roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Educational Services employers
$61.1K
Industry benchmark for Air Traffic Controller roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Nashville, TN Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherNashville, TN is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Air Traffic Controller work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Nashville, TN
This guide
$161K
Baseline
Clarksville, TN
Nearby U.S. market
$122K
-24% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in Nashville, TN

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$83.9K - $113K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$104K - $137K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$130K - $162K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$156K - $202K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$185K - $234K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$217K - $296K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 1.2% from 2024 to 2034.
About averageAnnual openings: 2.2 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment24.1k → 24.4k
Typical educationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related experiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Local market anchor60 jobs with a median of $160,920

Factors Affecting Air Traffic Controller Salary in Nashville, TN

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Air Traffic Controller Salary in Nashville, TN

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Air Traffic Controller Salary in Nashville, TN: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Air Traffic Controller" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Air Traffic Controller in Nashville, TNs salary?
The latest national baseline for Air Traffic Controllers is about $144,600 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Air Traffic Controller in Nashville, TNs salary?
Entry-level estimates for Air Traffic Controllers are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $76,100 per year nationally.
How much can senior Air Traffic Controller in Nashville, TNs professionals earn?
Senior Air Traffic Controllers estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $186,500 per year nationally.
Does location affect Air Traffic Controller in Nashville, TNs salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Air Traffic Controller in Nashville, TNs salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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