Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Salisbury, MD: $73.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Salisbury, MD runs $73.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $152,632 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Salisbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $67.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $91,576 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected hourly rate of $73.38 for air traffic controllers in Salisbury, Maryland, the pay slightly exceeds the national median hourly rate of $73.02. This competitive compensation level can be particularly attractive for part-time controllers working three days a week, allowing them to enjoy a balanced work-life scenario while still earning a respectable wage. Those entering the profession, specifically at the 10th percentile, can expect approximately $42.56 per hour, while the top earners can command upwards of $105.74 per hour. These figures indicate the broad spectrum of potential pay within the profession, reflecting the differences in experience and responsibility, whether controllers are managing high-altitude traffic from an en route center or coordinating airport arrivals and departures from a tower cab, or operating in a TRACON facility.
About the Salisbury Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.56 | $340.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.71 | $437.69 |
| Median (P50) | $73.38 | $587.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93.92 | $751.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105.74 | $845.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salisbury
Based on $73.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $73.38/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salisbury, MD can expect to earn approximately $152,627 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $88,054. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salisbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salisbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,935.14 | $12,719 | $152,627 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,761.09 | $7,631 | $91,576 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,174.06 | $5,088 | $61,051 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Salisbury) | $73.38 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
| Avionics Technician (National Avg) | $34.67 |
| Flight Attendant (National Avg) | $33.75 |
Air Traffic Controllers in Salisbury, MD earn a median of $152,632 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.49% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.70% below the Maryland state average of $156,868.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $73.38/hr = $91,576/year (purchasing power: $83,785).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $152,627/year (purchasing power: $139,641).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$59.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$71.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$73.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $66.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $72.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $71.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Salisbury grew 20.4% from $59.42/hr (2019) to $71.54/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $75.26/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salisbury 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.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Salisbury
Analyzing the earning potential for air traffic controllers who operate on a part-time or per-diem basis reveals intriguing dynamics. A controller working a typical 24-hour week could realistically bring home around $91,749 annually, a lucrative income compared to many professions. Moreover, the reality of per-diem air traffic controller pay in Salisbury often includes overtime compensations, which can significantly increase overall earnings—controllers in understaffed facilities frequently work between 50-60 hours per week, pushing their effective hourly rates much higher due to the 1.5x overtime pay. Compensation varies by employer type, with FAA en route centers and terminal facilities typically offering higher pay than smaller contract towers. Additionally, individual controllers may face a trade-off regarding benefits; some may accept a lower hourly wage if it provides necessary health insurance, while others may prefer to maximize their pay without benefits. When negotiating pay, it's essential for controllers in Salisbury to emphasize the area's cost of living and adjust expectations accordingly, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their valuable skill set.
More salary data for Salisbury, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for air traffic controllers in Salisbury. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Salisbury 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