Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Franklin, MA: $75.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Franklin, MA runs $75.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $157,122 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Franklin's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $69.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $94,277 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Franklin, Massachusetts, air traffic controllers receive a median hourly pay of $75.54, which surpasses the national hourly median of $73.02. This competitive rate allows both full-time and part-time professionals to earn a substantial income, especially in demanding work environments typical for this role, including en route centers and control towers. New controllers start at $43.81 per hour, while top earners can make as much as $105.95 hourly. Those working as per diem air traffic controllers in Franklin can capitalize on this favorable hourly rate, enabling them to maintain a solid income while enjoying the flexibility of a non-traditional schedule.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($152,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.81 | $350.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.39 | $435.14 |
| Median (P50) | $75.54 | $604.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95.85 | $766.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105.95 | $847.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Franklin
Based on $75.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $75.54/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Franklin, MA can expect to earn approximately $157,129 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $90,651. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Franklin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Franklin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,021.71 | $13,094 | $157,129 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,813.03 | $7,856 | $94,277 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,208.68 | $5,238 | $62,852 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Franklin) | $75.54 |
| 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 Franklin, MA earn a median of $157,122 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.45% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 4.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $164,871.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $75.54/hr = $94,277/year (purchasing power: $86,892).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $157,129/year (purchasing power: $144,819).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$61.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$73.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$75.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $64.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $64.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $65.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $68.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $75.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $73.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Franklin grew 20.4% from $61.17/hr (2019) to $73.65/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $77.48/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 Franklin 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 Franklin
For those considering part-time work, the potential earnings for an air traffic controller working three days a week can lead to significant annual income when calculated over the course of the year. Typically, these positions may yield around $90,000 annually for a 24-hour week, but many controllers also find themselves working overtime, which can push their hours to 50-60 per week, greatly boosting their overall compensation. Notably, overtime is often compensated at 1.5 times the base pay, making the effective hourly compensation substantially higher. The hourly rates can also fluctuate based on the employer type—FAA en route centers, terminal radar approach control (TRACONs), or FAA contract towers, with some opting for lower hourly pay for the assurance of health benefits. Ultimately, those in Franklin can negotiate effectively by highlighting their experience and skills, particularly in the context of the chronic understaffing seen in the FAA, where there's often a push for skilled controllers to fill critical positions.
More salary data for Franklin, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Franklin. 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 Franklin 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