Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Salem, NH: $77.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Salem, NH runs $77.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $161,651 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $72.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $96,991 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salem, New Hampshire, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $77.72, significantly higher than the national median of $73.02. This competitive pay gives controllers a promising outlook, especially for those considering part-time roles or per-diem work settings, which can vary from windowless en route centers to busy airport control towers. With the hourly range starting from $45.08 for entry-level positions up to $107.71 for seasoned professionals, air traffic controllers in Salem are well-compensated compared to the typical salaries of similar roles across the country. This estimation comes from annual salary data and reflects the skills and responsibilities involved in managing the complexities of air traffic control.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45.08 | $360.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55.95 | $447.62 |
| Median (P50) | $77.72 | $621.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97.77 | $782.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.71 | $861.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salem
Based on $77.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $77.72/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salem, NH can expect to earn approximately $161,652 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $93,261. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,108.69 | $13,471 | $161,652 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,865.21 | $8,083 | $96,991 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,243.48 | $5,388 | $64,661 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Salem) | $77.72 |
| 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 Salem, NH earn a median of $161,651 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.43% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.40% below the New Hampshire state average of $165,626.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $77.72/hr = $96,991/year (purchasing power: $90,393).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $161,652/year (purchasing power: $150,654).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$62.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$75.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$77.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $66.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $66.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $67.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $70.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $67.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $75.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Salem grew 20.4% from $62.93/hr (2019) to $75.77/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $79.71/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 Salem 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 Salem
For a part-time air traffic controller working three days a week, the effective annual income can still be substantial despite the reduced hours, translating to a comfortable living in Salem. Many controllers work overtime, often clocking in 50-60 hours a week, which can considerably inflate their effective hourly compensation well beyond the base pay. This scenario is especially true in understaffed facilities, where controllers may accrue $50,000 to $100,000 in overtime annually. Working for entities like FAA en route centers or TRACONs can lead to variances in pay rates depending on the facility type. Moreover, while some may opt for higher hourly rates without benefits, others might prefer lower hourly wages to secure health insurance. Negotiating effectively is crucial, particularly in Salem's job market, where discussing fringe benefits can impact the decision-making process of local air traffic controllers as they choose between job offers.
More salary data for Salem, NH:
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 Salem. 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 Salem 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