Air Traffic Controller Salary in Fredericksburg, VA: $152,597 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Fredericksburg, VA earns a median $152,597/year (≈ $73.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Fredericksburg's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $147,865 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected air traffic controller salary in Fredericksburg, Virginia is expected to reach a robust $152,597, slightly above the national median of $151,886. This compensation reflects a salary range from $88,507 at the 10th percentile to $220,554 at the 90th percentile, indicating a potentially lucrative career for those in this field. These salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost influences. As job seekers consider their options in Fredericksburg, understanding the economics of training and certification is critical, as controllers often undergo a developmental pay scale where earnings increase significantly over the first few years of employment, ultimately leading to a stable and rewarding career.
About the Fredericksburg Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,507 | $42.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,950 | $54.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $152,597 | $73.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $195,325 | $93.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,554 | $106.04 |
Median Salary Position
0.47% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fredericksburg
In Fredericksburg, VA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,047 (2026 est.). At $152,597, the local median is 0.47% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fredericksburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fredericksburg Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Fredericksburg median: $152,597/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fredericksburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $156,671 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +0.47% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Fredericksburg, VA earn a median of $152,597 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.47% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.60% below the Virginia state average of $156,671.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fredericksburg has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fredericksburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $152,597 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $147,865 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$123,566
2025 BLS Actual
$148,774
2026 Current Est.
$152,597
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Fredericksburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,566 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,031 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,358 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,024 | Actual |
| 2024 | $142,665 | Actual |
| 2025 | $148,774 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $152,597 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $156,519 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fredericksburg metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $123,566 (2019) to $148,774 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $156,519 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,953 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fredericksburg 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) | $88,507 – $113,950 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,950 – $152,597 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $152,597 – $195,325 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $195,325 – $220,554 |
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 Fredericksburg
The job market in Fredericksburg currently employs seven air traffic controllers, which is relatively modest compared to larger urban centers. The cost of living index here is 103.2, slightly above the national average, affecting the take-home purchasing power of controllers as they balance salary with daily expenses. Among the primary employers, facilities such as FAA en route centers typically offer higher pay than terminal and tower facilities, with factors like CPC certification status playing a crucial role in salary differences. Controllers can maximize compensation through strategies such as working at higher-tier facilities, pursuing overtime, and taking advantage of shift differentials that reward night and weekend work. Given the mandatory retirement age at 56, and the ongoing staffing challenges within the FAA, the Fredericksburg air traffic controller pay structure offers both promising opportunities and potential challenges for career progression in this essential field.
More salary data for Fredericksburg, VA:
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 $148,774 for air traffic controllersin the Fredericksburg 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 Fredericksburg 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