Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Newport News, VA: $91,621 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Newport News, VA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $91,621 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Newport News's local price level (BEA RPP 103.2 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $88,780 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($157,966) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the air traffic control field can expect a starting air traffic controller salary in Newport News, VA to be around $91,621 in 2026. This figure represents the lower tenth percentile of the projected salary range, which can extend up to $238,200 at the higher end. Compared to the city median salary of $157,966, new entrants have a significant growth trajectory ahead, moving from the entry-level salary to an estimated $113,936 at the 25th percentile within their first few years. Given this growth potential, Newport News proves to be a strong market for fresh graduates, setting a solid foundation for career advancement in this critical field.
About the Newport News Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Newport News
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 Newport News
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Newport News, VA typically start between $91,621 and $113,936 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $146,579 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $157,966 — 4% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Virginia of $42,000 represents just 45.84% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($91,621/year) in Newport News. 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 Newport News
- 1Research the Newport News market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $91,621 to $113,936, 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 VA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Newport News, 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 Newport News for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Newport News'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 Newport News is $146,579 ( 159.98%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $91,621, experienced hygienists can earn up to $238,200.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$77,832
2025 BLS Actual
$89,325
2026 Current Est.
$91,621
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Newport News (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,832 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,878 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,876 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,823 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,785 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,657 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,325 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,621 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,975 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Newport News, VA grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $77,832 in 2019 to $89,325 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $93,975. New graduates entering the Newport News job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newport News 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 Newport News
Regarding employability, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the primary employer of new air traffic controllers in Newport News, implementing specific recruitment programs such as the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) to target recent graduates and holding public hiring announcements for those under the age of 31. It’s vital for aspiring controllers to understand the requirements for entering the profession, including citizenship, educational qualifications, and passing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA). Entry-level candidates should also be prepared for extensive training at the FAA Academy, which entails both initial and facility-specific training. Controllers can expect realistic salary growth over their first few years, particularly in tier-one facilities, where opportunities for advancement can lead to substantial earnings, especially with the overtime driven by ongoing staff shortages in the profession.
More salary data for Newport News, 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
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 Newport News. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Newport News 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