Air Traffic Controllers Salary
The median pay for a air traffic controllers in Massachusetts is $125,060/year ($60.13/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $82K at the entry level to $202K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.09), that's roughly $124,948 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,347/month, about 30.9% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Massachusetts. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $125K get you in Massachusetts?
About air traffic controllers
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What this looks like in Massachusetts
Pay for air traffic controllers in Massachusetts runs about 16% below the U.S. median of $148K. Rent runs $2,347/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 100.09) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Massachusetts
Entry-level air traffic controllers (10th percentile) start around $82K. Mid-career wages sit at $125K. Top earners bring in $202K or more, a $120K spread from bottom to top.
Air Traffic Controllers salary by metro in Massachusetts
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $136K | +9% | 100 |
Compare to other states
Track air traffic controllers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Massachusetts numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
Can a air traffic controller afford a 2BR apartment alone in Massachusetts?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $125K, rent takes 31.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,347/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,200/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for air traffic controllers in Massachusetts?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new air traffic controllers typically earn — is $82K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,929/month. At HUD’s $2,347/month FMR, rent would take 48% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is air traffic controller a high-paying job in Massachusetts?
Local pay runs 16% below the national median — $125K here vs. $148K nationally.
How does Massachusetts compare to the national average for air traffic controllers?
Massachusetts pays $125K median vs. the U.S. average of $148K — that’s -16%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.09), the purchasing-power equivalent is $125K — below the national median.
How much do air traffic controllers make in Massachusetts?
The median is $125,060 a year, that works out to about $60 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $82,150, and experienced air traffic controllers can clear $202,070. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $125K enough to live in Massachusetts?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,498/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,347/month, which eats 31.3% 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a Regional Price Parity of 100.09 (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 $124,948 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.