Air Traffic Controller Salary in Shrewsbury, MA: $157,544 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Shrewsbury, MA earns a median $157,544/year (≈ $75.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Shrewsbury's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $145,202 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual salary of $157,544. This figure represents a modest increase compared to the national median of $151,886, making Shrewsbury about 3.73% more lucrative for controllers, driven in part by the demand for staffing in local facilities. The salary range is significant, with starting pay at $91,376 for the lowest 10% and potential earnings reaching as high as $227,754 for the top 10%. These projections, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, underscore a competitive compensation environment that reflects both the responsibilities of air traffic control and the challenges in recruitment and retention within the field.
About the Shrewsbury Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($152,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,376 | $43.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,174 | $54.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $157,544 | $75.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $201,657 | $96.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $227,754 | $109.49 |
Median Salary Position
3.73% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shrewsbury
In Shrewsbury, MA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $136,378 (2026 est.). At $157,544, the local median is 3.73% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shrewsbury: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Shrewsbury Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Shrewsbury median: $157,544/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shrewsbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $164,795 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +3.73% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Shrewsbury, MA earn a median of $157,544 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.73% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 4.40% below the Massachusetts state average of $164,795.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shrewsbury has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Shrewsbury, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $157,544 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $145,202 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$127,572
2025 BLS Actual
$153,597
2026 Current Est.
$157,544
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Shrewsbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,572 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,279 | Actual |
| 2021 | $134,584 | Actual |
| 2022 | $137,177 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,498 | Actual |
| 2024 | $157,662 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,597 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $157,544 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $161,593 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shrewsbury metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $127,572 (2019) to $153,597 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $161,593 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,021 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shrewsbury 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) | $91,376 – $114,174 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,174 – $157,544 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $157,544 – $201,657 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $201,657 – $227,754 |
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 Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury employs just six air traffic controllers, highlighting a concentrated local job market. The cost-of-living index for the area sits at 108.5, illustrating that while salaries are relatively high, purchasing power may be impacted compared to more affordably priced regions. FAA en route centers generally provide the highest compensation, but controllers in Shrewsbury may also find rewarding opportunities within terminal radar approach control facilities or airport traffic control towers. Variations in pay stem from factors such as facility level, certification status, and shift differentials, with controllers regularly working overtime given the chronic staffing shortfalls. Those looking to maximize their air traffic controller pay in Shrewsbury MA should consider pursuing CPC certification and strategically seeking roles at facilities that offer higher tiered pay scales, effectively leveraging their experience to enhance compensation.
More salary data for Shrewsbury, 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
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 $153,597 for air traffic controllersin the Shrewsbury 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 Shrewsbury 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