Air Traffic Controller Salary in Buffalo, NY: $194,731 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Buffalo, NY earns a median $194,731/year (≈ $93.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Buffalo's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $168,016 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buffalo, New York, the median annual air traffic controller salary for 2026 is projected to be $194,731, reflecting a substantial increase compared to the national average of $151,886, which positions Buffalo at a notable 28.21% above the national pay scale. The salary range for controllers in the area spans from $112,944 at the 10th percentile to $301,834 at the 90th percentile, giving a clear indicator of the income potential once certification is achieved. With the timeline to full pay generally taking 1-3 years, new controllers can expect to navigate initial developmental pay structures, often ranging significantly according to experience and facility type. This makes Buffalo's job market appealing for aspiring air traffic controllers, who will find competitive compensation coupled with local demand for these critical positions.
About the Buffalo Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($168,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $112,944 | $54.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $140,206 | $67.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $194,731 | $93.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $249,256 | $119.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $301,834 | $145.12 |
Median Salary Position
28.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo
In Buffalo, NY, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $188,890 (2026 est.). At $194,731, the local median is 28.21% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buffalo Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Buffalo median: $194,731/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $192,803 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +28.21% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $194,731 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.21% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.00% above the New York state average of $192,803.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buffalo, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $194,731 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $168,016 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$157,684
2025 BLS Actual
$189,852
2026 Current Est.
$194,731
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $157,684 | Actual |
| 2020 | $167,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $166,351 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $196,631 | Actual |
| 2025 | $189,852 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $194,731 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $199,736 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $157,684 (2019) to $189,852 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $199,736 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,052 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo 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) | $112,944 – $140,206 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $140,206 – $194,731 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $194,731 – $249,256 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $249,256 – $301,834 |
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 Buffalo
Currently, Buffalo employs 58 air traffic controllers, a reflection of its moderate size among FAA operations. The local cost of living, with an index of 115.9, slightly influences take-home pay, meaning that wages must effectively contend with higher living costs in the region, necessitating strategic financial planning for controllers. Among local employment options, the FAA en route centers typically offer the most competitive salaries, especially for certified professional controllers (CPCs), who can earn significantly more than developmental staff. Factors such as facility tier level, CPC certification status, and the availability of shift differentials can cause substantial discrepancies in salaries across the board. For those looking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Buffalo, pursuing advanced certifications and seeking positions within higher-tier facilities, like en route centers, can lead to greater earning potential and benefits, especially in a context marked by chronic understaffing that often necessitates overtime work.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
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 $189,852 for air traffic controllersin the Buffalo 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 Buffalo 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