Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Air Traffic Controllers actually take home in Tennessee?
No state income tax — 25.0% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Air Traffic Controllers earning $157,330 in Tennessee (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $157,330 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$27,297 | 17.4% |
| Tennessee State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$9,754 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$2,281 | 1.5% |
| Total Taxes | -$39,333 | 25.0% |
| Take-Home Pay | $117,996 | 75.0% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Air Traffic Controllers in Tennessee.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $98,300 | -$20,986 | $77,313 | 21.3% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $120,000 | -$27,518 | $92,481 | 22.9% |
| Median (P50) | $157,330 | -$39,333 | $117,996 | 25.0% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $178,630 | -$45,453 | $133,176 | 25.4% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $198,790 | -$50,583 | $148,206 | 25.4% |
Tennessee has no state income tax, which means a Air Traffic Controllers keeps $117,996 of their $157,330 salary — 75.0% of gross pay. Only federal income tax and FICA reduce the paycheck, making Tennessee one of the most tax-friendly states for this occupation.
With an effective total rate of 25.0%, a Air Traffic Controllers in Tennessee keeps $117,997 of $157,330 gross — roughly typical for U.S. middle-income earners once federal, FICA and state taxes are combined.
Tennessee is one of the few states with zero state income tax for wage earners. For a Air Traffic Controllers, that means the only deductions are federal income tax and FICA — no additional state withholding. This typically adds several thousand dollars per year compared to comparable states with income tax.
Federal income tax ($27,298) accounts for 69% of the total tax bill — the single largest deduction. FICA adds $12,036 (31%), and state tax the remaining $0 (0%).
For Air Traffic Controllers after-tax pay, Tennessee ranks #8 of 43 states — top quartile. High gross wages or low state-tax burden (or both) drive the strong ranking.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $117,997 net/year works out to $9,833/month or $4,538/bi-weekly for this Air Traffic Controllers in Tennessee — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Air Traffic Controllers keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
Tennessee ranks #8 out of 43 states for Air Traffic Controllers after-tax take-home pay.
A Air Traffic Controllers in Tennessee earning a median salary of $157,330 will take home approximately $117,996 per year after federal income tax ($27,297), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($12,035). That is $9,833 per month or $4,538 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Air Traffic Controllers in Tennessee is 25.0%, broken down as: federal income tax 17.4%, Tennessee state tax 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.6%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
No, Tennessee does not levy a state income tax on wages. This means a Air Traffic Controllers in Tennessee only pays federal income tax and FICA taxes, resulting in a lower overall tax burden compared to most other states. The total effective rate is 25.0%.
After all taxes, a Air Traffic Controllers in Tennessee takes home approximately $9,833 per month, or about $56.73 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). These figures assume a single filer, standard deduction, and no additional pre-tax deductions.
We start with the 2025 BLS median salary of $157,330 for Air Traffic Controllers in Tennessee, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), Tennessee state income tax (no state income tax), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $117,996/yr — does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), or tax credits.
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This estimate assumes a single filer using the 2024 standard deduction ($14,600), with W-2 employment income only. It does not account for: itemized deductions, tax credits (e.g. earned income credit, child tax credit), local/city taxes, pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA), self-employment tax, or additional income sources. Actual take-home pay may differ. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Salary: BLS OEWS · Tax: IRS + State DOR