Air Traffic Controller salary in Massachusetts
Air Traffic Controllers in Massachusetts earn a median of $125,060 a year ($60.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $202,070 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $148,080. Massachusetts ranks 26th of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.03 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.22). The average (mean) salary is $132,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,150 | $39.50 |
| 25th percentile | $89,890 | $43.22 |
| Median | $125,060 | $60.13 |
| 75th percentile | $171,010 | $82.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $202,070 | $97.15 |
| Average (mean) | $132,750 | $63.82 |
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 | $10,421.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,210.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,810 |
| Weekly | $2,405 |
| Hourly | $60.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Air Traffic Controller salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $135,720 | 100 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $61,510 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $56,020 | $26.93 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,200 | $16.44 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $43,590 | $20.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,570 | $31.52 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $65,460 | $31.47 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,870 | $22.53 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in Massachusetts is $125,060 a year, or $60.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $202,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in Massachusetts earn at least $202,070 a year. The top 25% earn $171,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,150 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $89,890 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Massachusetts?
About 120 air traffic controllers are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.