Air Traffic Controller salary in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
Air Traffic Controllers in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median of $126,300 a year ($60.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,180 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is about the same as the Rhode Island statewide median of $126,300. There are 0.07 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $119,990, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| 25th percentile | $87,860 | $42.24 |
| Median | $126,300 | $60.72 |
| 75th percentile | $150,180 | $72.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,180 | $72.20 |
| Average (mean) | $119,990 | $57.69 |
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 | $10,525 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,262.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,857.69 |
| Weekly | $2,428.85 |
| Hourly | $60.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Air Traffic Controller salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $135,720 | 100 |
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 Rhode Island statewide figures.
Related jobs in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $106,510 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $164,480 | — |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,640 | $17.61 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,370 | $19.41 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,610 | $29.14 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $59,320 | $28.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $70,170 | $33.73 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $44,490 | $21.39 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $35,930 | $17.28 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| Parking Attendant | $34,390 | $16.54 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
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 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $126,300 a year, or $60.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn at least $150,180 a year. The top 25% earn $150,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,710 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $87,860 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
About 50 air traffic controllers are employed in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.