Air Traffic Controller Salary in Kingston, NY: $180,747 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Kingston, NY earns a median $180,747/year (≈ $86.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Kingston's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $155,951 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kingston, New York, air traffic controller salaries are notably driven by the economics of overtime, particularly when working at facilities that are often understaffed. The projected median annual salary for these professionals is $180,747, significantly higher than the national median of $151,886, highlighting a local market that compensates well for the demanding nature of the role. Salary figures extend from $109,349 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $250,958 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a broad range of compensation tied to experience and facility type. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate a strong job market for air traffic controllers in Kingston, where the emphasis on overtime and long hours frequently enhances overall compensation.
About the Kingston Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($168,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $109,349 | $52.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $135,658 | $65.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $180,747 | $86.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $228,510 | $109.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $250,958 | $120.65 |
Median Salary Position
19.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingston
In Kingston, NY, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $141,609 (2026 est.). At $180,747, the local median is 19% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingston: You'd be above the median
How Kingston Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Kingston median: $180,747/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $192,899 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +19.00% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Kingston, NY earn a median of $180,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.00% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 6.30% below the New York state average of $192,899.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingston has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingston, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $180,747 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $155,951 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$146,360
2025 BLS Actual
$176,218
2026 Current Est.
$180,747
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Kingston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $146,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $155,202 | Actual |
| 2021 | $154,405 | Actual |
| 2022 | $157,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $163,485 | Actual |
| 2024 | $182,509 | Actual |
| 2025 | $176,218 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $180,747 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $185,392 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingston metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $146,360 (2019) to $176,218 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $185,392 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,032 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingston 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) | $109,349 – $135,658 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $135,658 – $180,747 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $180,747 – $228,510 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $228,510 – $250,958 |
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 Kingston
The local job market presents a unique scenario, with only four air traffic controllers currently employed in Kingston. Despite the limited number of positions, the cost-of-living index stands at 115.9, suggesting that salaries must stretch further to accommodate living expenses. Typically, those working at FAA en route centers earn the highest pay, as they manage high-altitude traffic, while terminal and tower facilities offer lower compensation. Key strategies for maximizing air traffic controller pay in Kingston include pursuing CPC certification, which can elevate a controller's earnings significantly, and capitalizing on overtime opportunities, particularly during busy seasons when staffing shortages are prominent. Understanding the facility tiers, differences in shift differentials, and locality pay can also substantially affect earnings and enhance job satisfaction within this specialized career path.
More salary data for Kingston, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Kingston?
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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 $176,218 for air traffic controllersin the Kingston 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 Kingston 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