Air Traffic Controller Salary in Coventry, RI: $150,191 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Coventry, RI earns a median $150,191/year (≈ $72.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Coventry's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $149,444 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

With a projected median annual salary of $150,191 in 2026, air traffic controller pay in Coventry, RI reflects a competitive wage structure compared to the national median of $151,886. The salary range is broad, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $87,111 and experienced controllers earning up to $210,946 per year. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic factors, highlight the nuances in pay based on facility type and certification status. In Coventry, the local job market consists of six employed controllers, indicating a niche but stable opportunity for individuals seeking careers in air traffic control.
About the Coventry Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,111 | $41.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,137 | $51.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,191 | $72.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $190,301 | $91.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,946 | $101.42 |
Median Salary Position
1.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coventry
In Coventry, RI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,835 (2026 est.). At $150,191, the local median is 1.12% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Coventry: You'd be above the median
How Coventry Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Coventry median: $150,191/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Coventry Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $152,633 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -1.12% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Coventry, RI earn a median of $150,191 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.12% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 1.60% below the Rhode Island state average of $152,633.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Coventry has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Coventry, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $150,191 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $149,444 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,618
2025 BLS Actual
$146,428
2026 Current Est.
$150,191
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Coventry (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,618 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,965 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,302 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,775 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,847 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,495 | Actual |
| 2025 | $146,428 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,191 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,051 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Coventry metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $121,618 (2019) to $146,428 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,051 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,433 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coventry 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) | $87,111 – $108,137 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,137 – $150,191 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,191 – $190,301 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $190,301 – $210,946 |
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 Coventry
Given the cost of living index in Coventry, which stands slightly above the national average at 100.5, controllers may find their take-home pay affected by local economic conditions. High earners in this sector typically work at FAA en route centers, which rewards experienced controllers more robustly due to rigorous traffic management demands. Differences in pay structures stem from various factors, including facility level, CPC certification, and applicable shift differentials. Maximizing pay in Coventry could involve pursuing development into positions at en route facilities, maintaining a flexible schedule to benefit from overtime, or actively seeking additional certifications to enhance earning potential within the competitive air traffic controller market.
More salary data for Coventry, RI:
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 $146,428 for air traffic controllersin the Coventry 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 Coventry 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