Air Traffic Controllers Salary
The median pay for a air traffic controllers in Rhode Island is $126,300/year ($60.72/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $150K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 101.77), that's roughly $124,103 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,544/month, or 20.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Rhode Island. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $126K get you in Rhode Island?
About air traffic controllers
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What this looks like in Rhode Island
Pay for air traffic controllers in Rhode Island runs about 15% below the U.S. median of $148K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,544/month, 20.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 101.77) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Lower pay, lower costs, Rhode Island can be a reasonable trade-off for air traffic controllerss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Rhode Island
Entry-level air traffic controllers (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $126K. Top earners bring in $150K or more, a $88K spread from bottom to top.
Air Traffic Controllers salary by metro in Rhode Island
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick | $126K | +0% | 50 |
Compare to other states
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Frequently asked questions
Can a air traffic controller afford a 2BR apartment alone in Rhode Island?
Yes — at the median salary of $126K, rent takes 20.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,544/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for air traffic controllers in Rhode Island?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new air traffic controllers typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,703/month. At HUD’s $1,544/month FMR, rent would take 42% 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 Rhode Island?
Local pay runs 15% below the national median — $126K here vs. $148K nationally.
How does Rhode Island compare to the national average for air traffic controllers?
Rhode Island pays $126K median vs. the U.S. average of $148K — that’s -15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 101.77), the purchasing-power equivalent is $124K — below the national median.
How much do air traffic controllers make in Rhode Island?
The median is $126,300 a year, that works out to about $61 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,710, and experienced air traffic controllers can clear $150,180. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $126K enough to live in Rhode Island?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,691/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,544/month, which eats 20.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a air traffic controllers salary go in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has a Regional Price Parity of 101.77 (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 $124,103 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.