Air Traffic Controller Salary in Woonsocket, RI: $147,550 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Woonsocket, RI earns a median $147,550/year (≈ $70.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Woonsocket's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $146,816 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Woonsocket, Rhode Island, aspiring and current air traffic controllers can anticipate a median annual salary of $147,550 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $151,886. The anticipated salary range for this profession within the city extends from $86,349 at the 10th percentile to $211,221 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust potential for earnings based on experience, certification level, and assigned facility. These figures derive from state-level data and regional cost adjustments based on 2025 BLS estimates, and they affirm that controllers in Woonsocket can expect substantial pay as they progress through various certification stages. The relatively small number of controllers employed, only nine in total, suggests a niche market that could offer unique opportunities for those entering this field, especially given the overarching demand for certified air traffic professionals across the country.
About the Woonsocket Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,349 | $41.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,901 | $52.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $147,550 | $70.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,844 | $88.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,221 | $101.54 |
Median Salary Position
2.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woonsocket
In Woonsocket, RI, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,872 (2026 est.). At $147,550, the local median is 2.85% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Woonsocket: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Woonsocket Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Woonsocket median: $147,550/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Woonsocket Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $152,585 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -2.85% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Woonsocket, RI earn a median of $147,550 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.85% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 3.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $152,585.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Woonsocket has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Woonsocket, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $147,550 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $146,816 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,479
2025 BLS Actual
$143,853
2026 Current Est.
$147,550
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Woonsocket (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,479 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,697 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,046 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,475 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,458 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,147 | Actual |
| 2025 | $143,853 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,550 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,342 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Woonsocket metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $119,479 (2019) to $143,853 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,342 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,863 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woonsocket 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) | $86,349 – $108,901 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,901 – $147,550 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $147,550 – $183,844 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,844 – $211,221 |
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 Woonsocket
The economic environment surrounding air traffic controller pay in Woonsocket reflects a nuanced job market. With a cost-of-living index at 100.5, living expenses are slightly above the national average, impacting take-home pay in relation to local purchasing power. Among air traffic control facilities, the FAA en route centers typically offer higher salaries compared to terminal radar approach controls (TRACONs) and airport control towers, thereby drawing individuals eager for more lucrative positions. Factors influencing the variation in pay include the facility tier system—where en route Level 12 positions command higher salaries than terminal Level 11 or tower Level 7 roles—and the developmental pay structure for controllers still in training. To maximize earnings in this specific market, effective strategies would include pursuing rapid advancement through certification, seeking assignments at higher-tier facilities, and being open to shifts that provide additional pay incentives. Additionally, understanding the intricacies of overtime opportunities and locality pay can significantly enhance a controller's overall earnings in Woonsocket, RI.
More salary data for Woonsocket, 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 $143,853 for air traffic controllersin the Woonsocket 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 Woonsocket 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