MEM
Memphis Tower
FAA Control Tower Memphis, Tennessee
Facility Information
| Facility Overview | |
|---|---|
| Identifier | MEM |
| Facility Name | Memphis Tower |
| Airport Name | Frederick W Smith Intl/Memphis |
| Type | Tower |
| Level | Level 8
Show historyHide history
• Prior to Aug 2016: Level 9
|
| Core 30 Airport | Yes |
| Airspace & Operations | |
|---|---|
| Hours of Operation | 0000-2359 (always open) |
| Airspace Class | Class B |
| Approach/Departure | M03 |
| Overlying ARTCC | ZME |
| Airport Diagram | Airport Diagram (PDF) |
| Location & Contact | |
|---|---|
| View on full map → | |
| Address | 2515 Winchester Rd Memphis, TN 38116 |
| Phone Number | 901-842-8400 |
Salary Information
2026 pay for Memphis Tower, built from the FAA Air Traffic Specialized Pay Plan bands:
| Career Level | Hourly Min. | Hourly Max. | Total Pay Min. | Total Pay Max. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPC | $52.53 | $70.91 | $109,627 | $147,997 |
| D3 | $45.99 | $52.53 | $95,983 | $109,627 |
| D2 | $39.45 | $45.99 | $82,337 | $95,983 |
| AG | $26.38 | $26.38 | $55,049 | $55,049 |
| Total Pay combines Basic Pay, Locality Pay. It excludes premium pay for overtime, nights, Sundays, and holidays. | ||||
| Pay Factors | |
|---|---|
| Facility Level | Level 8 |
| Locality Area | Rest of U.S. |
| Locality Pay | 17.06% |
| Local Affordability | |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 92.2 (7.8% below avg) |
| Cost-Adjusted CPC Min | $118,927 |
How this pay is calculated
| Basic Pay (Level 8 CPC band maximum) | $126,428 |
|---|---|
| + Locality Pay (17.06% of Basic Pay for Rest of U.S.) | + $21,569 |
| = Adjusted Basic Pay (counts toward your High-3) | $147,997 |
| = Total Pay | $147,997 |
| Basic Pay (Level 8 CPC band minimum) | $93,650 |
|---|---|
| + Locality Pay (17.06% of Basic Pay for Rest of U.S.) | + $15,977 |
| = Adjusted Basic Pay (counts toward your High-3) | $109,627 |
| = Total Pay | $109,627 |
| Basic Pay (Level 8 D3 band maximum) | $93,650 |
|---|---|
| + Locality Pay (17.06% of Basic Pay for Rest of U.S.) | + $15,977 |
| = Adjusted Basic Pay (counts toward your High-3) | $109,627 |
| = Total Pay | $109,627 |
| Basic Pay (Level 8 D3 band minimum) | $81,995 |
|---|---|
| + Locality Pay (17.06% of Basic Pay for Rest of U.S.) | + $13,988 |
| = Adjusted Basic Pay (counts toward your High-3) | $95,983 |
| = Total Pay | $95,983 |
| Basic Pay (Level 8 D2 band maximum) | $81,995 |
|---|---|
| + Locality Pay (17.06% of Basic Pay for Rest of U.S.) | + $13,988 |
| = Adjusted Basic Pay (counts toward your High-3) | $95,983 |
| = Total Pay | $95,983 |
| Basic Pay (Level 8 D2 band minimum) | $70,338 |
|---|---|
| + Locality Pay (17.06% of Basic Pay for Rest of U.S.) | + $11,999 |
| = Adjusted Basic Pay (counts toward your High-3) | $82,337 |
| = Total Pay | $82,337 |
| Basic Pay (Academy Graduate band, set nationally) | $47,026 |
|---|---|
| + Locality Pay (17.06% of Basic Pay for Rest of U.S.) | + $8,023 |
| = Adjusted Basic Pay (counts toward your High-3) | $55,049 |
| = Total Pay | $55,049 |
The AG band is a single national rate, so the top and bottom of the band are the same.
| Basic Pay (Academy Graduate band, set nationally) | $47,026 |
|---|---|
| + Locality Pay (17.06% of Basic Pay for Rest of U.S.) | + $8,023 |
| = Adjusted Basic Pay (counts toward your High-3) | $55,049 |
| = Total Pay | $55,049 |
The AG band is a single national rate, so the top and bottom of the band are the same.
Amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar, so lines can differ from the total by a dollar or two.
ATC pay has stalled over the past decade. Marangos & Brown are on a mission to increase pay.
Staffing and Training
| Staffing Information, July 2026 | |
|---|---|
| CPCs on Board | 23 CPCs |
| CPC Target (CWP) | 21 CPCs |
| Current Staffing | 109.52% |
|
Projected Staffing
Show componentsHide components
|
110.15% |
| ↳ Est. Trainee Certifications | + 0.8 |
| ↳ Committed Inbounds | + 1 |
| ↳ Projected Retirements/Losses | - 1.4 |
|
Number of Trainees
Show breakdownHide breakdown
|
1 trainees |
| ↳ Academy Graduates | 1 |
| Training Information, July 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Training Time (Avg) | 1.33 years |
| ↳ New Hires | 1.19 years |
| ↳ Transfers (CPC-IT) | 1.46 years |
| Training Success Rate (Avg) | 77% |
| ↳ New Hires | 100% |
| ↳ Transfers (CPC-IT) | 64% |
| Travel Days from Academy | 1 days |
Historical Trends
MEM Staffing Percentages
MEM Personnel Counts
MEM Training Metrics
NCEPT
NCEPT manages controller-requested transfers between FAA facilities.
| Eligibility & Staffing, July 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Staffing Source | Academy Sourced |
| TSL (One Training Time) | 89.83% |
| Gaining Target | 99.35% |
| Possible Gains | 0 |
| Primary Releases Avail. | 4 |
| Secondary Releases Avail. | 2 |
| Transfer Activity | |
|---|---|
| Releases, Past 3 Yrs | 4 |
| ↳ Standard | 4 |
| ↳ Priority/Other | 0 |
| Gains, Past 3 Yrs | 2 |
| Last Standard Release | Recently |
| ERR Demand History | |
|---|---|
| Priority / Draft Order Mar 2026 |
#8 |
| Inbound ERRs on File Feb 2026 |
2 |
| Employees with Outbound ERRs Feb 2026 |
2 (9.1%) |
Demand Trends
NCEPT Priority
Traffic
| June 2025 - May 2026 (12 Months) | |
|---|---|
| Tower Operations | 182,339 operations/yr |
| Average Daily Operations | 500 operations/day |
| Peer Group Median (Lvl 8 Tower) |
266,143 operations/yr |
| Relative Workload | -31.5% vs peer median |