Air Traffic Controller Salary in Middletown, NY: $186,381 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Middletown, NY earns a median $186,381/year (≈ $89.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Middletown's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $160,812 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The air traffic controller salary in Middletown, NY, is projected to reach a median annual income of $186,381 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $151,886 by nearly 22.71%. This competitive figure is influenced by the typical necessity for controllers in the region to work extended hours, often between 50 to 60 hours weekly, given the chronic understaffing at many facilities. The salary range for air traffic controllers in Middletown varies widely, from $109,048 at the lower end to $266,779 at the top tier. These local estimates reflect both BLS state-level data and adjustments for regional price parity, showcasing a strong compensation picture for controllers in this part of New York.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($168,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $109,048 | $52.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $134,194 | $64.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $186,381 | $89.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $238,568 | $114.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $266,779 | $128.26 |
Median Salary Position
22.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middletown
In Middletown, NY, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $157,731 (2026 est.). At $186,381, the local median is 22.71% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Middletown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Middletown Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Middletown median: $186,381/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middletown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $192,741 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +22.71% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Middletown, NY earn a median of $186,381 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.71% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 3.30% below the New York state average of $192,741.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middletown has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Middletown, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $186,381 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $160,812 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$150,923
2025 BLS Actual
$181,711
2026 Current Est.
$186,381
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $150,923 | Actual |
| 2020 | $160,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $159,218 | Actual |
| 2022 | $162,286 | Actual |
| 2023 | $168,581 | Actual |
| 2024 | $188,198 | Actual |
| 2025 | $181,711 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $186,381 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $191,171 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middletown metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $150,923 (2019) to $181,711 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $191,171 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,248 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middletown 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) | $109,048 – $134,194 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $134,194 – $186,381 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $186,381 – $238,568 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $238,568 – $266,779 |
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 Middletown
In Middletown, only seven air traffic controllers are currently employed, highlighting a relatively small but potentially lucrative job market. The local cost-of-living index stands at 115.9, indicating that expenses in the area are higher than the national average, which affects the purchasing power of earnings. To maximize pay, controllers should consider pursuing positions at FAA en route centers, which generally offer higher base salaries and more opportunities for overtime. Factors such as facility type—where en route positions are prioritized over terminal and tower—along with CPC certification status and shift differentials, significantly influence salary variations. Controllers willing to work weekends, holidays, and shifts may find their earnings increase substantially. Ultimately, understanding these dynamics can guide aspiring controllers in Middletown toward optimizing their earning potential.
More salary data for Middletown, 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 $181,711 for air traffic controllersin the Middletown 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 Middletown 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