Air Traffic Controller Salary

New Rochelle vs New York: Air Traffic Controller Salary (2026)

Compare air traffic controller salaries between New Rochelle, NY and New York, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Rochelle, NY
$193,721
$93.13/hr
New York, NY
$212,965
$102.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Rochelle, NYNew York, NY
Median Salary$193,721$212,965
Hourly Rate$93.13$102.39
Entry Level (P10)$112,358$123,520
25th Percentile$140,817$153,335
75th Percentile$245,077$272,595
Top Earner (P90)$273,588$319,311
Total Employed202,020
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Rochelle ($193,721) and New York ($212,965) air traffic controller salaries.New RochelleNew YorkMedian Salary$193,721$212,965Entry Level (P10)$112,358$123,520Top Earner (P90)$273,588$319,311US Median $151,886

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for air traffic controllers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to New Rochelle.

The salary gap between New Rochelle and New York is $19,244 (9.93%). New York's median is +40.21% compared to the US national median of $151,886.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Rochelle spans $161,230,New York spans $195,791. New York has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced air traffic controllers.

New Rochelle
P10 (Entry)$112,358
P25$140,817
Median$193,721
P75$245,077
P90 (Top)$273,588
New York
P10 (Entry)$123,520
P25$153,335
Median$212,965
P75$272,595
P90 (Top)$319,311

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($183,749 effective) pays 9.93% more than New Rochelle ($167,145 effective).

New Rochelle
Nominal: $193,721
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $167,145
New York
Nominal: $212,965
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $183,749

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Rochelle if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($212,965/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($319,311)
  • Larger job market (2,020 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $183,749)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, air traffic controller salaries in New Rochelle grew -3.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.9% growth in New York over the same period.

New Rochelle, NY

+-3.4%

$195,610 (2024) → $188,867 (2025)

New York, NY

+25.9%

$164,880 (2020) → $207,629 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays air traffic controllers more: New Rochelle or New York?

New York has a higher median air traffic controller salary at $212,965/year, compared to New Rochelle at $193,721/year — a difference of $19,244 (9.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Rochelle and New York?

New Rochelle air traffic controllers earn $93.13/hr while New York hygienists earn $102.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Rochelle to New York as a air traffic controller?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Rochelle and New York. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Rochelle = $167,145, New York = $183,749), job availability (20 vs 2,020 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level air traffic controllers earn in New Rochelle vs New York?

Entry-level (10th percentile) air traffic controllers earn $112,358 in New Rochelle and $123,520 in New York. The New York area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, ATO

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience as an air traffic controller. He specializes in terminal area control at a major airport.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Rodriguez, ATOData verified by Omar Patel, ATO

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.57% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov