Massachusetts Median
$125,060
per year
Hourly Rate
$60.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $148,080
State Rank
#26 of 43
120 employed here
How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in Massachusetts?
Air Traffic Controllers in Massachusetts take home a median of $125,060 annually — roughly $60.13 an hour — which runs 16% below the national median of $148,080.
Within Massachusetts, entry-level pay starts around $82,150 while the top 10% make $202,070 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $89,890 and $171,010 a year.
Air Traffic Controller salary range in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,150 | $39.50 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $89,890 | $43.22 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $125,060 | $60.13 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $171,010 | $82.22 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $202,070 | $97.15 |
|
How Massachusetts compares
Massachusetts ranks 26th out of 43 states and territories for Air Traffic Controller pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Air Traffic Controller salary in other states
Virginia $191,820Illinois $181,560Georgia $178,420Colorado $177,380Minnesota $176,840Texas $170,080Washington $162,570California $160,080Kansas $159,700Indiana $158,810Hawaii $158,700Utah $158,310Tennessee $157,330New Mexico $148,550Florida $147,530New York $144,960Connecticut $140,940Nevada $140,920Arizona $136,800Pennsylvania $132,350New Jersey $132,230Maryland $131,290North Carolina $129,230Kentucky $127,800Rhode Island $126,300Alaska $123,950Oklahoma $123,220Missouri $122,200Michigan $118,930Alabama $114,960South Carolina $112,030Nebraska $111,710Arkansas $109,760Vermont $109,140North Dakota $107,990Maine $107,270Montana $101,380Louisiana $99,810Wyoming $93,580Iowa $90,790Mississippi $88,110District of Columbia $47,760
Working as an Air Traffic Controller in Massachusetts
Nationally, about 23,000 people work as Air Traffic Controllers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Massachusetts pay ($125,060) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in Massachusetts?
The median Air Traffic Controller salary in Massachusetts is $125,060 per year, or about $60.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $82,150 at the entry level to $202,070 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Massachusetts pay compare to the national average?
Massachusetts pays Air Traffic Controllers about 16% less than the national median of $148,080. Massachusetts ranks 26th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Massachusetts a good state for Air Traffic Controllers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $125,060 a year. About 120 Air Traffic Controllers are employed in Massachusetts. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Massachusetts?
The highest-paying occupations in Massachusetts include Radiologist ($426,560), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($392,300), Surgeon, All Other ($387,150), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Air Traffic Controller salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.