Air Traffic Controller Salary in Auburn, ME: $142,162 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Auburn, ME earns a median $142,162/year (≈ $68.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $142,733 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For an air traffic controller salary in Auburn, Maine, the anticipated annual earnings for 2026 project to a median of $142,162. This figure lies within a broad salary range extending from $82,454 at the 10th percentile to a top-end $189,153 at the 90th percentile. Such projections, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price levels, reflect the reality of the job market where controllers often work 50-60 hour weeks due to chronic understaffing. With the median salary trailing slightly behind the national average of $151,886, the special conditions in Auburn’s facilities can provide significant earnings through overtime, which is both mandatory and plentiful. The local job landscape thus offers controllers a competitive, albeit challenging, environment where effective compensation is closely tied to workload demands.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,454 | $39.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,149 | $51.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,162 | $68.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,953 | $84.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,153 | $90.94 |
Median Salary Position
6.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, ME, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,699 (2026 est.). At $142,162, the local median is 6.4% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be above the median
How Auburn Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Auburn median: $142,162/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $151,236 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -6.40% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Auburn, ME earn a median of $142,162 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.40% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 6.00% below the Maine state average of $151,236.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A air traffic controller earning $142,162 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,733 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,116
2025 BLS Actual
$138,600
2026 Current Est.
$142,162
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,116 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,071 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,443 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,783 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,585 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,997 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,162 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,816 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $115,116 (2019) to $138,600 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,816 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,700 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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) | $82,454 – $107,149 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,149 – $142,162 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,162 – $174,953 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,953 – $189,153 |
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 Auburn
In Auburn, approximately six air traffic controllers currently serve, indicating a petite yet concentrated workforce within the industry. The area’s cost of living index stands at 99.6, just below the national average, which means that the purchasing power of an air traffic controller’s salary here may stretch further compared to more expensive regions. Major employers include FAA en route centers and terminal radar approach controls, which generally offer the highest scale of pay among various facility types. The compensation discrepancy is influenced by several factors, including facility levels that determine base salaries, the certification status of controllers, and various shift differentials that can substantially augment earnings. To optimize pay in this market, controllers might focus on obtaining CPC certification, taking positions in en route centers, and leveraging overtime opportunities whenever feasible. Overall, this tailored approach can significantly enhance their overall compensation in Auburn, ME.
More salary data for Auburn, ME:
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
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 $138,600 for air traffic controllersin the Auburn 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 Auburn 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