Air Traffic Controllers Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
The median pay for a air traffic controllers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $131,360/year ($63.16/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $85K at the entry level to $205K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.27), so that salary is closer to $121,326 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,941/month — about 36.9% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $131K get you in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Boston-Cambridge-Newton’s Regional Price Parity (108.27). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About air traffic controllers
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Entry-level air traffic controllers (10th percentile) start around $85K. Mid-career wages sit at $131K. Top earners bring in $205K or more, a $120K spread from bottom to top.
Air Traffic Controllers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $186K | +29% | 1,130 |
| Minnesota | $176K | +22% | 630 |
| Illinois | $175K | +21% | 1,000 |
| Georgia | $175K | +21% | 970 |
| Texas | $168K | +16% | 2,020 |
| Washington | $164K | +13% | 600 |
| Kansas | $157K | +8% | 410 |
| Utah | $156K | +8% | 350 |
| Indiana | $156K | +8% | 620 |
| Tennessee | $154K | +6% | 610 |
| California | $152K | +5% | 2,260 |
| Nevada | $148K | +2% | 210 |
| New Mexico | $145K | +0% | 360 |
| Florida | $145K | +0% | 1,980 |
| New York | $142K | -2% | 1,190 |
| Hawaii | $142K | -2% | 220 |
| New Jersey | $135K | -6% | 210 |
| Arizona | $131K | -9% | 380 |
| Pennsylvania | $129K | -11% | 410 |
| Kentucky | $127K | -12% | 210 |
| Rhode Island | $124K | -15% | 50 |
| Connecticut | $122K | -16% | 70 |
| Oklahoma | $122K | -16% | 250 |
| North Dakota | $121K | -16% | 80 |
| North Carolina | $121K | -17% | 440 |
| Alaska | $120K | -17% | 500 |
| Idaho | $117K | -19% | 60 |
| Missouri | $115K | -20% | 240 |
| Maryland | $115K | -21% | 110 |
| Michigan | $114K | -21% | 380 |
| Oregon | $113K | -22% | 180 |
| Alabama | $113K | -22% | 230 |
| Nebraska | $109K | -25% | 70 |
| South Carolina | $107K | -26% | 190 |
| Wisconsin | $107K | -26% | 140 |
| Massachusetts | $103K | -29% | 130 |
| Louisiana | $100K | -31% | 240 |
| Arkansas | $99K | -31% | 110 |
| South Dakota | $99K | -32% | 50 |
| Iowa | $95K | -34% | 90 |
| Mississippi | $91K | -37% | 130 |
| Wyoming | $90K | -38% | 40 |
| West Virginia | $86K | -40% | 90 |
| District of Columbia | $36K | -75% | 700 |
Showing 1–10 of 44 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track air traffic controllers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Boston-Cambridge-Newton numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median is $131,360 a year, that works out to about $63 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $85,300, and experienced air traffic controllers can clear $205,170. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $131K enough to live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,831/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,941/month, which eats 37.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a air traffic controllers salary go in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median air traffic controllers salary is worth about $121,326 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do air traffic controllers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.