Air Traffic Controller Salary in Severn, MD: $153,492 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Severn, MD earns a median $153,492/year (≈ $73.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Severn's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $140,432 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Severn, Maryland, the median annual pay for an air traffic controller is projected to reach $153,492 in 2026, slightly exceeding the national figure of $151,886. This compensation reflects a broad salary range, with entry-level controllers earning $89,026 and experienced professionals making as much as $223,502, highlighting the significant earning potential within this tiered pay system. Based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, these figures are adjusted for local cost of living factors, which in Severn sits at an index of 109.3. This means that while controllers are well-compensated relative to the national average, the cost of living does play a role in determining overall financial comfort in this area.
About the Severn Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $89,026 | $42.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,514 | $53.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $153,492 | $73.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $196,470 | $94.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $223,502 | $107.45 |
Median Salary Position
1.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Severn
In Severn, MD, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,476 (2026 est.). At $153,492, the local median is 1.06% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Severn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Severn Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Severn median: $153,492/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Severn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $156,945 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +1.06% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Severn, MD earn a median of $153,492 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.06% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.20% below the Maryland state average of $156,945.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Severn has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Severn, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $153,492 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $140,432 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,291
2025 BLS Actual
$149,646
2026 Current Est.
$153,492
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Severn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,291 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,799 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,122 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,649 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,833 | Actual |
| 2024 | $151,804 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,646 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $153,492 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $157,437 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Severn metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $124,291 (2019) to $149,646 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $157,437 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,146 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Severn 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) | $89,026 – $110,514 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,514 – $153,492 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $153,492 – $196,470 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $196,470 – $223,502 |
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 Severn
The air traffic controller job market in Severn is relatively stable, with only 12 employed controllers in the region, suggesting localized demand. The elevated cost of living further complicates the financial situation, necessitating effective financial planning for prospective and current employees. Controllers here could find employment with the FAA's en route centers, TRACONs, or tower facilities, each offering different pay scales, with en route facilities tending to provide higher wages due to the complexity of operations. Factors contributing to the varying pay include certification levels, shift differentials for late-night or weekend hours, and the abundance of overtime that often results from chronic staffing shortages post-sequester. For those in this market, strategies such as pursuing CPC certification and seeking positions with higher traffic complexity are essential for maximizing overall compensation.
More salary data for Severn, 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 $149,646 for air traffic controllersin the Severn 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 Severn 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