Air Traffic Controller Salary in Portland, ME: $124,787 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Portland, ME earns a median $124,787/year (≈ $59.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Portland's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.9), that paycheck buys what $122,511 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.5% below the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Portland, ME, the air traffic controller salary is projected to reach a median of $124,787 in 2026, reflecting the high demands of the role in an environment often characterized by staffing shortages. This figure sits at a notable 17.84% below the national median of $151,886, highlighting the economic dynamics specific to the region. The salary range for air traffic controllers in Portland extends from $39,561 at the 10th percentile to $147,362 at the 90th percentile, suggesting that variation in compensation can be influenced by factors such as experience and facility type. Data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys reveals that many employees find their earnings significantly influenced by the necessity of working overtime, which is often a result of understaffed facilities, leading to longer working hours that can enhance their total compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,561 | $19.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,270 | $25.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,787 | $59.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,403 | $67.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $147,362 | $70.85 |
Median Salary Position
17.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, ME, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,801 (2026 est.). At $124,787, the local median is 17.84% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Portland Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Portland median: $124,787/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $151,257 | -17.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -17.84% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Portland, ME earn a median of $124,787 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.84% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 17.50% below the Maine state average of $151,257.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 1.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 101.858 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $124,787 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $122,511 — a 1.82% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,046
2025 BLS Actual
$121,660
2026 Current Est.
$124,787
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,046 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,151 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,654 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,869 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,124 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,787 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,994 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $101,046 (2019) to $121,660 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,994 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,948 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $39,561 – $52,270 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,270 – $124,787 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,787 – $139,403 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,403 – $147,362 |
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 Portland
The job market for air traffic controllers in Portland consists of around 40 professionals operating in varied environments, including FAA en route centers, terminal radar approach controls, and airport traffic control towers. Given the city's cost-of-living index of 101.858, controllers must consider the impact of local economic conditions on their take-home pay and overall purchasing power. Employers such as FAA en route centers typically offer more competitive salaries compared to those at smaller control towers, making it critical for aspiring controllers to target the right facilities in their job search. Factors contributing to pay disparities include facility classification, certification levels, and shift differentials, with CPC certified controllers often able to maximize their income. With the persistent challenges of understaffing in the sector, particularly post-sequester, controllers can benefit from proactively seeking overtime opportunities to boost their earnings potential in Portland's evolving job market.
More salary data for Portland, 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 $121,660 for air traffic controllersin the Portland 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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