Air Traffic Controller salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Air Traffic Controllers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $135,720 a year ($65.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $87,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $210,870 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is 9% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $125,060. There are 0.04 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.25). The average (mean) salary is $140,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $87,420 | $42.03 |
| 25th percentile | $103,920 | $49.96 |
| Median | $135,720 | $65.25 |
| 75th percentile | $180,070 | $86.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $210,870 | $101.38 |
| Average (mean) | $140,590 | $67.59 |
Half of air traffic controllers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,310 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,655 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,220 |
| Weekly | $2,610 |
| Hourly | $65.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $135,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Air Traffic Controller salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $126,300 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for air traffic controllers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia | $191,820 |
| Illinois | $181,560 |
| Georgia | $178,420 |
| Colorado | $177,380 |
| Minnesota | $176,840 |
| Texas | $170,080 |
| Washington | $162,570 |
| California | $160,080 |
| Kansas | $159,700 |
| Indiana | $158,810 |
See Air Traffic Controller pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $61,510 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $56,020 | $26.93 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,700 | $18.13 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $64,010 | $30.78 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,630 | $23.86 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $33,740 | $16.22 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $43,590 | $20.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,730 | $31.60 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $38,950 | $18.73 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $70,120 | $33.71 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $47,340 | $22.76 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a air traffic controller make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $135,720 a year, or $65.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $87,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $210,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $210,870 a year. The top 25% earn $180,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $87,420 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $103,920 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 100 air traffic controllers are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.