Air Traffic Controller Salary in Wheaton, MD: $156,911 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Wheaton, MD earns a median $156,911/year (≈ $75.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Wheaton's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $143,560 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The air traffic controller salary in Wheaton, MD, reflects the economic realities of a demanding profession where long hours are often the norm. With a median annual salary projected at $156,911 for 2026, controllers in this area earn a competitive wage compared to national figures, slightly surpassing the projected national median of $151,886 by 3.31%. Salaries range from a low of $91,008 at the 10th percentile to as high as $225,819 for those at the 90th percentile. These numbers are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living realities, making Wheaton an attractive option for air traffic controllers seeking effective compensation. The presence of understaffing at many facilities often leads to 50-60 hour workweeks, further boosting earning potential through abundant overtime.
About the Wheaton Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,008 | $43.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,976 | $54.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $156,911 | $75.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $200,845 | $96.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $225,819 | $108.57 |
Median Salary Position
3.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheaton
In Wheaton, MD, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,811 (2026 est.). At $156,911, the local median is 3.31% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheaton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheaton Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Wheaton median: $156,911/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheaton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $151,886 | +3.31% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Wheaton, MD earn a median of $156,911 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.31% higher than the national median of $151,886.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheaton has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wheaton, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $156,911 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $143,560 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$127,059
2025 BLS Actual
$152,979
2026 Current Est.
$156,911
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Wheaton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,059 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,735 | Actual |
| 2021 | $134,043 | Actual |
| 2022 | $136,625 | Actual |
| 2023 | $141,925 | Actual |
| 2024 | $155,184 | Actual |
| 2025 | $152,979 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $156,911 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $160,943 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheaton metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $127,059 (2019) to $152,979 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $160,943 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,884 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheaton 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) | $91,008 – $112,976 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,976 – $156,911 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $156,911 – $200,845 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $200,845 – $225,819 |
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 Wheaton
In Wheaton, there are currently 11 air traffic controllers employed, contributing to a tightly-knit job market. The cost-of-living index is pegged at 109.3, which indicates that although salaries are relatively high, purchasing power can be constrained by local expenses. Among the employers in the area, those affiliated with the FAA typically offer the most substantial pay, particularly en route centers which deal with high-altitude traffic. Factors driving the salary spread include the facility tier system, CPC certification status, and various shift differentials. Controllers working in en route facilities enjoy higher base pay than their counterparts in terminal settings, compounded by the opportunity for secondary income from overtime. For candidates in Wheaton, maximizing pay hinges on obtaining CPC certification, considering positions in en route facilities, and strategically taking night, weekend, or holiday shifts that command premium pay.
More salary data for Wheaton, 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 $152,979 for air traffic controllersin the Wheaton 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 Wheaton 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