Air Traffic Controller salary in Portland-South Portland, ME
Air Traffic Controllers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn a median of $121,660 a year ($58.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,670 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is 13% higher than the Maine statewide median of $107,270. There are 0.14 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $103,400, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| 25th percentile | $50,960 | $24.50 |
| Median | $121,660 | $58.49 |
| 75th percentile | $135,910 | $65.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $143,670 | $69.07 |
| Average (mean) | $103,400 | $49.71 |
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 | $10,138.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,069.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,679.23 |
| Weekly | $2,339.62 |
| Hourly | $58.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $121,660 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maine at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Maine statewide figures.
Related jobs in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,930 | $18.72 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $45,350 | $21.80 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,270 | $22.25 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $43,890 | $21.10 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,360 | $16.52 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,970 | $18.25 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $51,910 | $24.96 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $48,430 | $23.29 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $63,360 | $30.46 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $37,210 | $17.89 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Portland-South Portland, ME
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 Portland-South Portland, ME?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $121,660 a year, or $58.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Portland-South Portland, ME?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn at least $143,670 a year. The top 25% earn $135,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Portland-South Portland, ME?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,570 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $50,960 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Portland-South Portland, ME?
About 40 air traffic controllers are employed in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area, not counting the self-employed.