Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Hempstead, NY: $107,983 (2026)

Employers in Hempstead typically include the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which hires new controllers through several pathways, including public hiring announcements and partnerships with educational institutions via the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI). New graduates should be aware of the age requirement to apply—applicants must be under 31 unless they are military veterans, who have a different entry pathway. Beyond meeting citizenship and age requirements, a bachelor's degree or relevant work experience is necessary, along with passing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test. Initial Qualification Training at the FAA Academy is paid, typically lasting three to five months, followed by facility-specific training that may extend to three years before full certification. Realistically, those in their first one to three years can aim for growth within the pay scale, specifically the FG scale for federal employees, which remains distinct from the GS scale. The FAA recognizes that mandatory retirement occurs at age 56, and with recent challenges in staffing, there may be ample overtime opportunities for those just starting. Overall, new grad air traffic controller pay in NY, particularly in Hempstead, opens a pathway to lucrative salaries as one advances in responsibility and expertise.