Air Traffic Controller Salary in Derry, NH: $158,991 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Derry, NH earns a median $158,991/year (≈ $76.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Derry's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $148,174 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Derry, New Hampshire, air traffic controllers earn a median annual salary of $158,991, which positions them slightly above the national median of $151,886. The local salary range is quite extensive, from $92,215 at the 10th percentile to as high as $231,053 at the 90th percentile. This upper range exemplifies the lucrative potential of the role, especially when overtime is factored in. Many controllers at facilities facing chronic understaffing can often work 50-60 hour weeks, significantly enhancing their overall compensation. The salary figures here are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and have been adjusted for regional cost variations, reflecting the economic dynamics of Derry’s job market.
About the Derry Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,215 | $44.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,981 | $55.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $158,991 | $76.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $203,508 | $97.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $231,053 | $111.08 |
Median Salary Position
4.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Derry
In Derry, NH, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $138,838 (2026 est.). At $158,991, the local median is 4.68% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Derry: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Derry Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Derry median: $158,991/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Derry Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $165,615 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +4.68% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Derry, NH earn a median of $158,991 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.68% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 4.00% below the New Hampshire state average of $165,615.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Derry has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Derry, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $158,991 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,174 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$128,743
2025 BLS Actual
$155,007
2026 Current Est.
$158,991
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Derry (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $128,743 | Actual |
| 2020 | $136,521 | Actual |
| 2021 | $135,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $138,436 | Actual |
| 2023 | $143,806 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,031 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,007 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,991 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $163,077 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Derry metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $128,743 (2019) to $155,007 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $163,077 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,334 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derry 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) | $92,215 – $115,981 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,981 – $158,991 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $158,991 – $203,508 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $203,508 – $231,053 |
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 Derry
The local job market in Derry is supported by a small but focused group of seven air traffic controllers currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 107.3, indicating that expenses are somewhat above the national average, which can impact take-home purchasing power. Those working in FAA en route centers tend to command the highest salaries compared to other facilities, followed closely by FAA terminal radar approach control and airport traffic control towers. The disparity in pay here can result from various factors, such as the facility’s operation level, certification status, shift differentials, and the availability of overtime. Controllers looking to maximize their income in Derry should consider these variables while also exploring special pay opportunities. Adapting to local conditions and understanding the hierarchy of air traffic control roles can lead to enhanced compensation within this sector.
More salary data for Derry, NH:
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 $155,007 for air traffic controllersin the Derry 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 Derry 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