Air Traffic Controller salary in Rhode Island
Air Traffic Controllers in Rhode Island 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. Rhode Island ranks 25th of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.09 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $120,870, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| 25th percentile | $100,440 | $48.29 |
| Median | $126,300 | $60.72 |
| 75th percentile | $150,180 | $72.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,180 | $72.20 |
| Average (mean) | $120,870 | $58.11 |
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 cities in Rhode Island
| 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 |
Related jobs in Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $98,820 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $164,880 | — |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,690 | $20.05 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,190 | $28.94 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,300 | $17.45 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Parking Attendant | $34,390 | $16.54 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,710 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $100,440 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Rhode Island?
About 50 air traffic controllers are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.