SOC 53-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Air Traffic Controllers — Nashville
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
The median wage here is $155,540 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $148,080.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $155,540 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $148,080. Half of workers earn between $131,810 and $168,750. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $102,090 and the ninetieth at $177,150.
The area has 60 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.1 of every thousand jobs. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 17th of 609 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $102,090 | −31.1% |
| 25th | $131,810 | −11.0% |
| Median (50th) | $155,540 | +5.0% |
| 75th | $168,750 | +14.0% |
| 90th | $177,150 | +19.6% |
| Mean | $145,560 | −1.7% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Nashville run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $155,540 goes as far as $169,249 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$155,540as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$169,249US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $155,540 a year, 5.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $102,090 to $177,150 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 60 jobs in this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Air Traffic Controllers in Nashville, TN?
The median annual wage is $155,540, or $74.78 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $148,080, so pay in Nashville, TN is 5.0% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Nashville, TN earns more than $177,150 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $102,090 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 60 jobs in this occupation in Nashville, TN. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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