Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Middletown, NY: $89.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Middletown, NY runs $89.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $186,381 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Middletown's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.9, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $77.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $111,827 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Middletown, NY, the projected air traffic controller hourly pay in 2026 is a competitive $89.61, significantly surpassing the national median of $73.02. This favorable pay rate not only reflects the regional demand for controllers but also indicates the value placed on the expertise needed for this role. For those working part-time, typically around three days a week, the earnings become particularly enticing, creating potential for meaningful supplementary income in busy environments such as en route centers, terminal radar facilities, and airport control towers. The hourly compensation ranges from an entry-level rate of $52.42 to a high of $128.26 for the most experienced professionals. These estimates derive from larger annual salary figures but provide an important glimpse into the financial realities of this profession in Middletown.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($168,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.42 | $419.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.52 | $516.13 |
| Median (P50) | $89.61 | $716.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114.69 | $917.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128.26 | $1026.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Middletown
Based on $89.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $89.61/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Middletown, NY can expect to earn approximately $186,379 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $107,526. With a cost-of-living index of 115.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Middletown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Middletown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,584.21 | $15,532 | $186,379 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,150.52 | $9,319 | $111,827 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,433.68 | $6,213 | $74,551 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Middletown) | $89.61 |
| 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 Middletown, NY earn a median of $186,381 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.71% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 3.30% below the New York state average of $192,741.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $89.61/hr = $111,827/year (purchasing power: $96,486).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $186,379/year (purchasing power: $160,810).
CoL index: 115.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$72.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$87.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$89.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $76.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $76.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $78.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $81.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $90.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $87.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Middletown grew 20.4% from $72.56/hr (2019) to $87.36/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $91.91/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 Middletown 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 Middletown
Examining the earning potential for part-time air traffic controllers reveals a striking contrast compared to full-time counterparts. For a 24-hour work week at the prevailing pay, part-time controllers take home roughly $69,460 annually, significantly more than some positions in other sectors. Per diem air traffic controller pay in Middletown can also prove lucrative, especially when factoring in overtime, which often elevates effective hourly compensation. Controllers at some facilities report working 50-60 hours a week, resulting in much higher annual earnings due to overtime rates of 1.5x the base pay. This is especially relevant in understaffed environments where agencies frequently draw from both FAA and contractor-controlled towers. Moreover, hourly rates can vary widely based on employer type; those at en route centers or airport towers may see differing pay scales. As controllers negotiate their contracts, they may weigh the trade-off between higher hourly wages without benefits and slightly lower rates that include health insurance, which can greatly impact their financial decisions and job satisfaction in the long term.
More salary data for Middletown, NY:
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 Middletown. 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 Middletown 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