Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Mount Vernon, NY: $92.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Mount Vernon, NY runs $92.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $191,553 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Mount Vernon's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.9, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $79.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $114,938 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Mount Vernon, New York, air traffic controllers are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $92.10 in 2026, significantly exceeding the national median of $73.02. This competitive pay reflects the demanding nature of the role, which often involves working in high-pressure environments such as en route center radar consoles and airport traffic control towers. For those in part-time or per-diem roles, working three days a week could yield a substantial income, allowing for flexibility while still achieving a comfortable financial status. Entry-level positions start at approximately $53.42 per hour, while experienced controllers at the top of the pay scale can earn as much as $137.18 per hour. Such hourly rates indicate the value of the skill and expertise required in this profession, estimated from corresponding annual salary data.
About the Mount Vernon 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) | $53.42 | $427.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67.71 | $541.65 |
| Median (P50) | $92.10 | $736.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117.88 | $943.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137.18 | $1097.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mount Vernon
Based on $92.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $92.10/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mount Vernon, NY can expect to earn approximately $191,563 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $110,517. With a cost-of-living index of 115.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Mount Vernon.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mount Vernon
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,683.90 | $15,964 | $191,563 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,210.34 | $9,578 | $114,938 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,473.56 | $6,385 | $76,625 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Mount Vernon) | $92.10 |
| 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 Mount Vernon, NY earn a median of $191,553 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.12% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.70% below the New York state average of $192,903.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $92.10/hr = $114,938/year (purchasing power: $99,170).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $191,563/year (purchasing power: $165,283).
CoL index: 115.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$74.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$89.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$92.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Mount Vernon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $79.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $78.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $80.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $83.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $92.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $89.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Mount Vernon grew 20.4% from $74.58/hr (2019) to $89.79/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $94.46/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 Mount Vernon 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 Mount Vernon
When considering earnings in Mount Vernon, part-time air traffic controllers who work a typical 24-hour week can earn a reliable income, but they typically generate less overall compared to their full-time counterparts. Full-time controllers often experience significant benefits from working overtime, which can elevate their effective hourly compensation into the range of $50k-$100k annually above their base pay. As more controllers face understaffing challenges, many end up working 50-60 hours weekly, directly impacting their fiscal health. The variation in hourly rates can also be attributed to employer types—FAA en route centers, terminal radar approach control facilities, and military ATC roles—all of which offer distinctive hourly compensation structures. Controllers working in FAA contract towers, while sometimes earning less per hour, may obtain better health insurance benefits, which influences many professionals' decisions on their compensation packages. Negotiation is key in this field; knowing the rates for each facility type and the value of overtime can help controllers advocate effectively for their worth in Mount Vernon, NY.
More salary data for Mount Vernon, 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 Mount Vernon. 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 Mount Vernon 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