Air Traffic Controller Salary in Utica, NY: $186,619 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Utica, NY earns a median $186,619/year (≈ $89.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Utica's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $161,017 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected air traffic controller salary in Utica, NY, for 2026 is anticipated to reach $186,619, significantly exceeding the national median of $151,886. This lucrative figure is complemented by a salary range that spans from $108,239 at the lower tenth percentile to an impressive $268,335 at the ninetieth percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect the financial dynamics of an industry characterized by demanding work schedules—often ranging between 50 to 60 hours weekly at facilities grappling with chronic understaffing. In Utica’s competitive job market, this salary is indicative of the economic realities facing air traffic controllers who effectively manage substantial workloads and long hours.
About the Utica Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($168,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $108,239 | $52.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $134,366 | $64.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $186,619 | $89.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $238,872 | $114.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $268,335 | $129.01 |
Median Salary Position
22.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Utica
In Utica, NY, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $160,096 (2026 est.). At $186,619, the local median is 22.87% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Utica: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Utica Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Utica median: $186,619/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Utica Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $192,788 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +22.87% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Utica, NY earn a median of $186,619 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.87% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 3.20% below the New York state average of $192,788.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Utica has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Utica, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $186,619 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $161,017 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$151,115
2025 BLS Actual
$181,943
2026 Current Est.
$186,619
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Utica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $151,115 | Actual |
| 2020 | $160,245 | Actual |
| 2021 | $159,421 | Actual |
| 2022 | $162,493 | Actual |
| 2023 | $168,796 | Actual |
| 2024 | $188,439 | Actual |
| 2025 | $181,943 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $186,619 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $191,415 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Utica metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $151,115 (2019) to $181,943 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $191,415 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,300 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Utica 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) | $108,239 – $134,366 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $134,366 – $186,619 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $186,619 – $238,872 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $238,872 – $268,335 |
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 Utica
In terms of employment, Utica has a tight-knit community of just 10 air traffic controllers, contributing to a focused but competitive job environment. The cost-of-living index, sitting at 115.9, suggests that while salaries may appear high, the purchasing power can be affected by local economic factors. Among employers, FAA en route centers typically pay more than terminal radar approach control facilities and airport control towers, which influences the overall pay structure. Factors contributing to the salary spectrum include facility type, CPC certification status, and available shift differentials. Controllers aiming to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Utica, NY, should consider seeking opportunities at en route centers and actively pursue overtime, as it's more readily available given persistent staffing challenges.
More salary data for Utica, 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 $181,943 for air traffic controllersin the Utica 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 Utica 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