Air Traffic Controller Salary in Montpelier, VT: $144,785 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Montpelier, VT earns a median $144,785/year (≈ $69.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Montpelier's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $139,889 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Montpelier, Vermont, will see a median annual salary of $144,785, reflecting a slight decrease of 4.68% compared to the national median of $151,886. The salary range for this role in the area extends from $83,975 at the lower 10th percentile to $196,302 at the top 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price parities. Given the certification process, achieving full pay can take 1-3 years for those starting as developmental controllers. This nuanced salary landscape highlights opportunities in Montpelier’s job market, where a modest number of air traffic controllers are employed yet play a critical role in high-stakes air traffic management.
About the Montpelier Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,975 | $40.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,245 | $50.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,785 | $69.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,120 | $86.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $196,302 | $94.37 |
Median Salary Position
4.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montpelier
In Montpelier, VT, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,327 (2026 est.). At $144,785, the local median is 4.68% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montpelier: You'd be above the median
How Montpelier Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Montpelier median: $144,785/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montpelier Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $157,204 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -4.68% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Montpelier, VT earn a median of $144,785 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.68% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 7.90% below the Vermont state average of $157,204.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montpelier has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montpelier, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $144,785 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $139,889 — a 3.38% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$117,240
2025 BLS Actual
$141,157
2026 Current Est.
$144,785
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Montpelier (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,323 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,684 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,067 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,957 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,156 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,157 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,785 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,506 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montpelier metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $117,240 (2019) to $141,157 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,506 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,266 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montpelier 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) | $83,975 – $104,245 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,245 – $144,785 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,785 – $180,120 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,120 – $196,302 |
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 Montpelier
The local labor market for air traffic controllers is compact, with only four professionals currently employed in Montpelier. While this means limited workplace competition, it also indicates a potential for collaborative work environments. Adding to the financial dynamics, Montpelier has a cost-of-living index of 103.5, which slightly elevates living expenses compared to the national average. For aspiring controllers, seeking positions in FAA en route centers will often produce higher pay than terminal radar approach control facilities or control towers. This variance in pay is driven by multiple factors, including the facility level, CPC certification status, and shift differentials. Controllers transitioning into supervisory roles or taking on overtime can effectively raise their salaries, an advantageous strategy in an environment where chronic understaffing often necessitates additional hours. The ability to maximize earnings in Montpelier hinges on understanding these diverse compensation pathways.
More salary data for Montpelier, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Montpelier, VT in 2026?
Is Montpelier, VT a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Montpelier?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Montpelier?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Montpelier?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Vermont
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 $141,157 for air traffic controllersin the Montpelier 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 Montpelier 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