Air Traffic Controller Salary in Rockville, MD: $152,995 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Rockville, MD earns a median $152,995/year (≈ $73.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Rockville's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $139,977 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rockville, Maryland, the projected median annual salary for air traffic controllers in 2026 is $152,995, reflecting a slight increase compared to the national median of $151,886. The salary range for air traffic controllers in this area spans from $88,737 at the 10th percentile to $221,800 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability based on experience and facility type. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors. Rockville's job market for air traffic controllers includes different facility types, with en route centers generally offering higher compensation compared to terminal and tower facilities, influenced by the complexities of managing high-altitude traffic and specific operational responsibilities.
About the Rockville Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,737 | $42.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,157 | $52.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $152,995 | $73.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $195,834 | $94.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $221,800 | $106.63 |
Median Salary Position
0.73% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockville
In Rockville, MD, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,063 (2026 est.). At $152,995, the local median is 0.73% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockville Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Rockville median: $152,995/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $156,918 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +0.73% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Rockville, MD earn a median of $152,995 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.73% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.50% below the Maryland state average of $156,918.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockville has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockville, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $152,995 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $139,977 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$123,889
2025 BLS Actual
$149,162
2026 Current Est.
$152,995
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Rockville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,889 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,373 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,698 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,216 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,384 | Actual |
| 2024 | $151,312 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,162 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $152,995 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $156,927 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockville metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $123,889 (2019) to $149,162 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $156,927 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,038 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockville 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) | $88,737 – $110,157 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,157 – $152,995 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $152,995 – $195,834 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $195,834 – $221,800 |
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 Rockville
In terms of local job dynamics, Rockville currently employs 15 air traffic controllers within its limits. The cost of living index at 109.3 indicates that while salaries are competitive, the higher living costs can impact purchasing power. Employers such as the FAA’s en route centers typically offer the highest pay, compared to terminal facilities that manage traffic closer to airports. Variations in salaries often relate to facility tiers; en route Level 12 positions tend to attract higher compensation than terminal Level 11 or tower Level 7 roles. Other factors influencing these differences include CPC certification status, shift differentials, and overtime availability due to chronic staffing shortages. For those seeking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Rockville, strategic choices in facility options, along with pursuing overtime opportunities and understanding locality pay adjustments, can lead to significantly improved earnings.
More salary data for Rockville, MD:
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 $149,162 for air traffic controllersin the Rockville 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 Rockville 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