Air Traffic Controller Salary in Quincy, MA: $163,495 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Quincy, MA earns a median $163,495/year (≈ $78.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Quincy's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $150,687 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Quincy, Massachusetts, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $163,495, which is approximately 7.64% higher than the national median of $151,886. The full salary range for these controllers varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $94,827 and the highest 90% making up to $247,445. These figures, derived from state-level BLS estimates and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect the different tiers within air traffic control facilities. Controllers at en route Level 12 certainly earn more than those in terminal and tower settings, leading to notable disparities in compensation based on facility type and controller certification status. Quincy's competitive job market maintains strong earning potential for air traffic controllers, making it an appealing location for potential candidates.
About the Quincy Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($152,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,827 | $45.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,717 | $56.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $163,495 | $78.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $209,273 | $100.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $247,445 | $118.96 |
Median Salary Position
7.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Quincy
In Quincy, MA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $152,618 (2026 est.). At $163,495, the local median is 7.64% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Quincy: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Quincy Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Quincy median: $163,495/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Quincy Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $164,813 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +7.64% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Quincy, MA earn a median of $163,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.64% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.80% below the Massachusetts state average of $164,813.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Quincy has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Quincy, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $163,495 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $150,687 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$132,390
2025 BLS Actual
$159,398
2026 Current Est.
$163,495
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Quincy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $140,388 | Actual |
| 2021 | $139,667 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,358 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $163,618 | Actual |
| 2025 | $159,398 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,495 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $167,696 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Quincy metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $132,390 (2019) to $159,398 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $167,696 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,306 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Quincy 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) | $94,827 – $117,717 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,717 – $163,495 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $163,495 – $209,273 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $209,273 – $247,445 |
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 Quincy
At present, Quincy has about 15 air traffic controllers employed, reflecting a limited but specialized market. The local cost of living, with an index of 108.5, indicates that expenses are somewhat higher than the national average, impacting take-home purchasing power for controllers. Among various employers, the FAA's en route centers, responsible for managing high-altitude air traffic, tend to provide the highest salaries. The pay spread in Quincy can be attributed to several factors: the facility type, the certification level of the controller, and the availability of overtime, which has notably increased due to chronic staffing shortages since the 2013 sequester. For controllers looking to maximize their salaries in Quincy, pursuing CPC certification and remaining flexible on shift assignments can enhance earnings significantly, given the additional pay for night and Sunday shifts as well as the high demand for traffic management coordinators.
More salary data for Quincy, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Quincy, MA in 2026?
Is Quincy, MA a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Quincy?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Quincy?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Quincy?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $159,398 for air traffic controllersin the Quincy 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 Quincy 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