Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Braintree, MA: $92,250 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Braintree, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $92,250 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Braintree's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,023 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($159,053) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career as an air traffic controller in Braintree, MA, while the starting air traffic controller salary in Braintree is projected to be at least $92,250 in 2026, this figure is considerably lower than the median annual salary of $159,053 for the region. New graduates are encouraged to set realistic expectations, understanding that their earnings can grow incrementally over the first three to five years as they gain experience. The jump from the initial salary to the first quartile of $117,097 is attainable with dedication and performance, illustrating a positive growth trajectory in this competitive field. Braintree presents a promising market for recent graduates, especially given the stability of the federal employment system and an increasing demand for air traffic controllers fueled by ongoing staffing needs.
About the Braintree Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($152,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Braintree
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 Braintree
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Braintree, MA typically start between $92,250 and $117,097 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $134,969 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $159,053 — 4.72% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Massachusetts of $68,000 represents just 73.71% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($92,250/year) in Braintree. 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 Braintree
- 1Research the Braintree market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $92,250 to $117,097, 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 MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Braintree, 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 Braintree for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Braintree'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 Braintree is $134,969 ( 146.31%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $92,250, experienced hygienists can earn up to $227,219.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$78,367
2025 BLS Actual
$89,939
2026 Current Est.
$92,250
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Braintree (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,367 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,448 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,438 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,381 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,939 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,250 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,621 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Braintree, MA grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $78,367 in 2019 to $89,939 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $94,621. New graduates entering the Braintree job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Braintree 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 Braintree
Job seekers in Braintree should target the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which regularly recruits new controllers through various hiring pathways such as Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) partnerships with select universities and public bid hiring announcements for those under age 31, unless they are military veterans. Entry-level candidates equipped with the necessary credentials—U.S. citizenship, a bachelor’s degree or relevant work experience, and a passing score on the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA)—are set up for success. Completing initial qualification training at the FAA Academy can significantly influence starting pay and future earnings potential. Additionally, while the entry-level salary may appear modest, controllers often earn significantly more with experience, especially in premier facilities where total compensation can soar past $200,000 due to shift differentials and overtime. Given the mandatory retirement age of 56 and ongoing workforce shortages, early-career air traffic controllers in Braintree can anticipate a consistent upward trajectory in salaries over the next few years.
More salary data for Braintree, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for air traffic controllers in Braintree in 2026?
How fast do air traffic controller salaries grow in Braintree?
Is aviation school worth it in Braintree?
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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 Braintree. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Braintree 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