Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Lexington, MA: $75.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Lexington, MA runs $75.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $157,749 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Lexington's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $69.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $94,649 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lexington, Massachusetts, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $75.84, surpassing the national median of $73.02. This competitive pay reflects the demanding nature of the role, which typically involves working in various settings such as en route center radar consoles, TRACON facilities, and airport control towers. For those considering part-time positions, the hourly earnings translate to substantial income, even if working three days a week. The hourly range for air traffic controllers in the area spans from $43.99 at entry-level positions up to $107.14 for top earners, creating opportunities for both new arrivals and seasoned professionals within this vital occupation.
About the Lexington 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) | $43.99 | $351.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55.08 | $440.64 |
| Median (P50) | $75.84 | $606.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96.48 | $771.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.14 | $857.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lexington
Based on $75.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $75.84/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lexington, MA can expect to earn approximately $157,748 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $91,008. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lexington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lexington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,033.61 | $13,146 | $157,748 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,820.17 | $7,887 | $94,649 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,213.44 | $5,258 | $63,099 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Lexington) | $75.84 |
| 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 Lexington, MA earn a median of $157,749 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.86% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 4.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $164,837.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $75.84/hr = $94,649/year (purchasing power: $87,234).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $157,748/year (purchasing power: $145,390).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$61.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$73.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$75.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $65.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $64.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $66.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $68.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $75.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $73.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Lexington grew 20.4% from $61.41/hr (2019) to $73.94/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $77.79/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 Lexington 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 Lexington
For part-time controllers working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home could amount to approximately $59,433, a figure bolstered by the possibility of overtime. In contrast, many full-time controllers can rack up significant earnings due to chronic understaffing, often taking on 50-60 hour weeks and accumulating overtime pay that can elevate their overall compensation dramatically. Factors impacting air traffic controller hourly pay in Lexington include the type of employer—ranging from FAA en route centers to military operations and FAA contract towers—where higher-paying facilities may offer different benefits and pay structures. While some might prefer the lower hourly rate that comes with full health benefits, others opt for higher rates without benefits to maximize take-home pay. Those negotiating their hourly rates can find that demonstrating experience or specific training, especially in high-demand settings, can lead to better financial outcomes in this competitive job market.
More salary data for Lexington, 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 Lexington. 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 Lexington 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