Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Brockton, MA: $96,402 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Brockton, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $96,402 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Brockton's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $88,850 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($166,211) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates looking at an entry-level air traffic controller salary in Brockton, Massachusetts, can expect a starting pay around $96,402 in 2026. While this figure is significantly lower than the city's median salary of $166,211, it provides a foundation for career growth. Entry-level controllers typically see quick advancement, with potential salaries reaching approximately $120,040 as they gain experience, and the median can be achieved within three to five years. With the projected growth rate of 2.57% annually, Brockton remains a viable market for new graduates eager to enter this vital industry.
About the Brockton Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($152,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Brockton
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brockton
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Brockton, MA typically start between $96,402 and $120,040 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $154,503 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $166,211 — 9.43% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Massachusetts of $68,000 represents just 70.54% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($96,402/year) in Brockton. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover AT-CTI associate or bachelor's degree tuition. FAA Academy training is provided at no tuition cost to accepted candidates, who are paid as federal trainees. Military ATC experience can substitute for CTI schooling.
ATC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Brockton
- 1Research the Brockton market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $96,402 to $120,040, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the aviation field — employers in MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Brockton, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Brockton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Brockton's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Air Traffic Controller Compensation Range
The air traffic controller wage spread in Brockton is $154,503 ( 160.27%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $96,402, experienced hygienists can earn up to $250,905.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$81,894
2025 BLS Actual
$93,987
2026 Current Est.
$96,402
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Brockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,894 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,203 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,149 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,198 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,314 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,475 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,987 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,402 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,880 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Brockton, MA grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $81,894 in 2019 to $93,987 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $98,880. New graduates entering the Brockton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brockton 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.
Starting Your aviation Career in Brockton
In Brockton, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) primarily hires entry-level controllers through competitive public bid windows and partnerships with universities under the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI). New graduates must meet specific criteria, including US citizenship and passing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA). Completing the Initial Qualification Training, typically taking 3-5 months, paves the way for facility-specific training that may last 1-3 years before becoming a fully certified professional controller (CPC). As federal employees, controllers are placed on the FG pay scale, distinct from the GS scale. Given the historical staffing shortages and mandatory retirement age of 56, entry-level controllers can anticipate steady salary progress, particularly as they transition from entry-level roles to more lucrative positions in major en route facilities, where total compensation can exceed $200k annually through overtime and shift differentials.
More salary data for Brockton, MA:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new aviation graduates. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Brockton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brockton 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