Air Traffic Controller Salary in Dartmouth, MA: $160,524 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Dartmouth, MA earns a median $160,524/year (≈ $77.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Dartmouth's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $147,948 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, command a median annual salary of $160,524, significantly higher than the national median of $151,886, reflecting an increase of 5.69%. The salary figures reveal a broad range, with the lowest earners making approximately $93,104 and the highest reaching $231,787. The statistics, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlight how working 50 to 60-hour weeks in understaffed facilities can effectively enhance overall compensation. The growing demand for air traffic controllers, amid a backdrop of chronic staffing shortages, positions Dartmouth as a lucrative market for professionals in this essential field.
About the Dartmouth Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($152,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,104 | $44.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,577 | $55.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $160,524 | $77.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $205,471 | $98.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $231,787 | $111.43 |
Median Salary Position
5.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dartmouth
In Dartmouth, MA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $138,683 (2026 est.). At $160,524, the local median is 5.69% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dartmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dartmouth Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Dartmouth median: $160,524/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dartmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $164,809 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +5.69% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Dartmouth, MA earn a median of $160,524 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.69% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.60% below the Massachusetts state average of $164,809.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dartmouth has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dartmouth, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $160,524 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $147,948 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$129,985
2025 BLS Actual
$156,502
2026 Current Est.
$160,524
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Dartmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $129,985 | Actual |
| 2020 | $137,838 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,129 | Actual |
| 2022 | $139,772 | Actual |
| 2023 | $145,193 | Actual |
| 2024 | $160,644 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,502 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,524 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $164,650 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dartmouth metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $129,985 (2019) to $156,502 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $164,650 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,665 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dartmouth 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) | $93,104 – $115,577 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,577 – $160,524 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $160,524 – $205,471 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $205,471 – $231,787 |
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 Dartmouth
With only five air traffic controllers employed locally, the competition for coveted positions is fierce, but the potential for career advancement and increased compensation is equally compelling. Dartmouth's cost of living index of 108.5 suggests that while salaries are competitive, controllers may feel the pinch of a higher-than-average expense structure. Factors like facility level significantly influence pay, with en route centers typically offering the most advantageous salaries compared to terminal or tower facilities. To maximize earning potential, prospective controllers should consider facilities with high traffic or those that offer substantial overtime opportunities, such as FAA centers. Engaging in professional development to achieve CPC certification can also enhance pay prospects, as developmental employees typically earn lower rates than fully certified controllers. Tailoring career paths toward en route or military facilities may provide more substantial financial rewards in the long run.
More salary data for Dartmouth, MA:
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 $156,502 for air traffic controllersin the Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth 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