Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Brunswick, ME: $81,507 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Brunswick, ME job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $81,507 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Brunswick's local price level (BEA RPP 99.6 — 0% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,834 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($139,990) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Brunswick, Maine presents a competitive starting point for new graduates considering a career as an air traffic controller, with entry-level salaries projected at $81,507 in 2026. This figure is considerably lower than the overall median annual salary in Brunswick of $139,990, indicating a gap that early-career professionals should be prepared to bridge as they gain experience. As they progress in their roles, new hires can anticipate salary increases over the first few years of their careers, with earnings moving from the entry-level $81,507 to around $102,863, and potentially reaching the median wage as they settle into their positions. Given the local job market and the demand for air traffic controllers, this path seems promising for those just starting their careers in this vital sector.
About the Brunswick Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Brunswick
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brunswick
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Brunswick, ME typically start between $81,507 and $102,863 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $113,894 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $139,990 — 7.83% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Maine of $42,000 represents just 51.53% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($81,507/year) in Brunswick. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover AT-CTI associate or bachelor's degree tuition. FAA Academy training is provided at no tuition cost to accepted candidates, who are paid as federal trainees. Military ATC experience can substitute for CTI schooling.
ATC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Brunswick
- 1Research the Brunswick market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $81,507 to $102,863, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the aviation field — employers in ME often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Brunswick, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Brunswick for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Brunswick's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Air Traffic Controller Compensation Range
The air traffic controller wage spread in Brunswick is $113,894 ( 139.74%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $81,507, experienced hygienists can earn up to $195,401.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$69,241
2025 BLS Actual
$79,465
2026 Current Est.
$81,507
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Brunswick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,241 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,838 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,571 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,205 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,821 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,465 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,507 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,602 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Brunswick, ME grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $69,241 in 2019 to $79,465 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $83,602. New graduates entering the Brunswick job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brunswick metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.57% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your aviation Career in Brunswick
For aspiring controllers in Brunswick, connecting with the FAA is essential, as they are the primary employer of new graduates through different hiring channels. The agency actively recruits via "off-the-street" pathways, open to applicants under 31 years old unless they are military veterans, and through the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program alongside select universities. To become competitive in this field, candidates should ensure they meet requirements, which include US citizenship, a college degree or qualifying work experience, and passing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA). After initial training at the FAA Academy, there’s additional facility-specific training that could take up to three years to qualify fully as a CPC. With the FG pay scale providing a structured rise in earnings, and considering the ongoing staffing shortages, early-career professionals can find solid growth opportunities, setting themselves up for better rewards as they navigate through their first years in Brunswick’s air traffic control ecosystem.
More salary data for Brunswick, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for air traffic controllers in Brunswick in 2026?
How fast do air traffic controller salaries grow in Brunswick?
Is aviation school worth it in Brunswick?
What do new air traffic controllers make right out of school in Brunswick?
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Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new aviation graduates. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Brunswick. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brunswick is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.57%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov