Air Traffic Controller Salary in Middletown, DE: $135,993 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Middletown, DE earns a median $135,993/year (≈ $65.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Middletown's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $133,720 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Middletown, Delaware, the projected median annual compensation for air traffic controllers is $135,993 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $151,886. This compensation figure is derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data, taking into account local cost-of-living adjustments. With a salary range spanning from $78,876 at the 10th percentile to $185,180 at the 90th percentile, Middletown’s air traffic controller pay reflects the realities of an understaffed environment where many controllers frequently work 50 to 60 hours a week, driving up their effective income. Local facilities employing air traffic controllers must navigate this competitive salary environment, a factor that highlights the overall demand and dynamics of the job market in this community.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,876 | $37.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,915 | $47.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,993 | $65.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,677 | $81.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,180 | $89.03 |
Median Salary Position
10.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middletown
In Middletown, DE, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,304 (2026 est.). At $135,993, the local median is 10.46% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Middletown: You'd be above the median
How Middletown Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Middletown median: $135,993/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middletown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $147,179 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -10.46% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Middletown, DE earn a median of $135,993 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.46% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.60% below the Delaware state average of $147,179.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middletown has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Middletown, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,993 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $133,720 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,121
2025 BLS Actual
$132,586
2026 Current Est.
$135,993
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,121 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,774 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,174 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,412 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,006 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,853 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,586 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,993 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,488 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middletown metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $110,121 (2019) to $132,586 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,488 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,367 (26.67%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,876 – $97,915 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,915 – $135,993 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,993 – $169,677 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,677 – $185,180 |
ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual air traffic controller compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Air Traffic Controller Job Market in Middletown
While only six air traffic controllers are currently employed in Middletown, the local job market offers intriguing possibilities for those in the field. The cost-of-living index sits slightly above the national average at 101.7, which affects the purchasing power of salaries here. Among employers, the FAA en route centers generally provide higher pay, as they manage larger airspaces, followed closely by terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities. Wage disparities can also arise due to the facility tier system, shift differentials, overtime, and CPC certification status. Controllers looking to enhance their earning potential should consider working at higher-level facilities and maximizing overtime opportunities, especially as chronic staffing shortages continue to create a demand for controllers ready to take on additional hours. Understanding these local market trends is key for those asking how much do air traffic controllers make in Middletown, DE, and for strategizing their careers.
More salary data for Middletown, DE:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $132,586 for air traffic controllersin the Middletown metropolitan area. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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