Air Traffic Controller Salary in Rochester, NY: $195,971 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Rochester, NY earns a median $195,971/year (≈ $94.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $169,086 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rochester, New York, air traffic controllers can anticipate a robust median annual salary of $195,971 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $151,886 by 29.03%. The compensation range is quite broad, with salaries expected to fall between $113,663 at the lower end and up to $299,625 for top earners. These figures, based on 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026, reflect the realities of a challenging job environment where controllers often work extended hours due to staffing shortages. The demand for capable air traffic controllers in Rochester makes this position not only lucrative but also vital for maintaining efficient air traffic management in a key region.
About the Rochester Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($168,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $113,663 | $54.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $141,099 | $67.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $195,971 | $94.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $250,843 | $120.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $299,625 | $144.05 |
Median Salary Position
29.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $185,962 (2026 est.). At $195,971, the local median is 29.03% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Rochester median: $195,971/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $192,885 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +29.03% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Rochester, NY earn a median of $195,971 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.03% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.60% above the New York state average of $192,885.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $195,971 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $169,086 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$158,688
2025 BLS Actual
$191,061
2026 Current Est.
$195,971
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $158,688 | Actual |
| 2020 | $168,275 | Actual |
| 2021 | $167,411 | Actual |
| 2022 | $170,636 | Actual |
| 2023 | $177,255 | Actual |
| 2024 | $197,882 | Actual |
| 2025 | $191,061 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $195,971 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $201,008 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $158,688 (2019) to $191,061 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $201,008 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,320 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $113,663 – $141,099 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $141,099 – $195,971 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $195,971 – $250,843 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $250,843 – $299,625 |
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 Rochester
In terms of employment, Rochester currently has 43 air traffic controllers contributing to the local market, yet the cost of living is relatively high, with an index of 115.9. This means that while salaries for air traffic controllers in Rochester are attractive, the purchasing power can be impacted by the increased living expenses. Employers offering the highest pay in the area typically include FAA en route centers, which handle more complex traffic, and FAA terminal facilities that manage operations within a closer radius to airports. The disparity in pay often correlates with facility tier levels, certifications, and various shift differentials, including significant overtime opportunities, which are often necessary due to a history of understaffing. Controllers looking to maximize their income should consider pursuing CPC status as early as possible, working at en route facilities, and taking advantage of the frequent overtime given the prevailing demand.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 $191,061 for air traffic controllersin the Rochester 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 Rochester 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