Air Traffic Controller Salary in White Plains, NY: $187,689 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in White Plains, NY earns a median $187,689/year (≈ $90.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in White Plains's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $161,940 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in White Plains, NY, is projected to reach a median of $187,689, placing it significantly above the national average of $151,886. The compensation for these professionals ranges from $108,860 at the 10th percentile to $271,495 at the 90th percentile, giving a substantial scope for earnings based on experience, facility specialization, and workload. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, reflect a local salary determined by the demanding nature of air traffic control work, often requiring 50-60 hour weeks due to chronic understaffing in many facilities. With the ongoing push for greater efficiency and safety in the skies, controllers in White Plains can expect their hard work to be financially rewarded, especially in high-traffic environments.
About the White Plains Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($168,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $108,860 | $52.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $135,136 | $64.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $187,689 | $90.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $240,242 | $115.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $271,495 | $130.53 |
Median Salary Position
23.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in White Plains
In White Plains, NY, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $162,635 (2026 est.). At $187,689, the local median is 23.57% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in White Plains: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How White Plains Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
White Plains median: $187,689/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | White Plains Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $192,897 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +23.57% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in White Plains, NY earn a median of $187,689 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.57% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.70% below the New York state average of $192,897.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
White Plains has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
White Plains, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $187,689 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $161,940 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$151,982
2025 BLS Actual
$182,986
2026 Current Est.
$187,689
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in White Plains (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $151,982 | Actual |
| 2020 | $161,163 | Actual |
| 2021 | $160,335 | Actual |
| 2022 | $163,424 | Actual |
| 2023 | $169,764 | Actual |
| 2024 | $189,519 | Actual |
| 2025 | $182,986 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $187,689 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $192,512 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the White Plains metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $151,982 (2019) to $182,986 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $192,512 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,530 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the White Plains 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) | $108,860 – $135,136 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $135,136 – $187,689 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $187,689 – $240,242 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $240,242 – $271,495 |
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 White Plains
The job market for air traffic controllers in White Plains includes just 11 positions, indicating a tight labor pool where demand for qualified professionals remains high. The cost of living index of 115.9 suggests that while salaries are favorable, controllers must be mindful of the higher expenses associated with living in the area. Among local employers, the FAA’s en route centers, such as the New York Center, offer the best pay opportunities, reflecting their high altitude traffic management responsibilities. The pay variance is influenced by multiple factors like facility level, controller certification status, and generous overtime, which is almost mandatory given the ongoing staffing challenges since the 2013 sequester. Strategies to maximize earnings include pursuing higher certifications, targeting en route facilities for their superior pay scales, and capitalizing on shift differentials, which can add significantly to overall compensation. In this competitive market, understanding these dynamics can lead to better job satisfaction and financial outcomes for air traffic controllers based in White Plains.
More salary data for White Plains, 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 $182,986 for air traffic controllersin the White Plains 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 White Plains 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