Air Traffic Controller Salary in Taunton, MA: $162,398 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Taunton, MA earns a median $162,398/year (≈ $78.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Taunton's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $149,676 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Taunton, Massachusetts, air traffic controllers can expect a competitive 2026 median salary of $162,398, reflecting a robust local market driven by substantial overtime opportunities. With a salary range stretching from $94,191 at the 10th percentile to $238,861 at the 90th percentile, earnings are significantly influenced by factors like experience, facility type, and the chronic understaffing that characterizes many air traffic control facilities. These salary figures are local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences, highlighting Taunton's emerging position in the air traffic control sector. Controllers in this area benefit from overtime pay, often necessitating 50-60 hour workweeks, which can significantly elevate overall compensation levels for dedicated professionals.
About the Taunton Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($152,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,191 | $45.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,830 | $56.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $162,398 | $78.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $207,869 | $99.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $238,861 | $114.84 |
Median Salary Position
6.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Taunton
In Taunton, MA, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $144,670 (2026 est.). At $162,398, the local median is 6.92% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Taunton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Taunton Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Taunton median: $162,398/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Taunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $164,871 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +6.92% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Taunton, MA earn a median of $162,398 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.92% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $164,871.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Taunton has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Taunton, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $162,398 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $149,676 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$131,502
2025 BLS Actual
$158,329
2026 Current Est.
$162,398
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Taunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,502 | Actual |
| 2020 | $139,447 | Actual |
| 2021 | $138,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $141,403 | Actual |
| 2023 | $146,888 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $158,329 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $162,398 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,572 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Taunton metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $131,502 (2019) to $158,329 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $166,572 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,070 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Taunton 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) | $94,191 – $117,830 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,830 – $162,398 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $162,398 – $207,869 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $207,869 – $238,861 |
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 Taunton
The job market in Taunton features a small pool of only 13 air traffic controllers, underscoring the demand for these essential positions within the federal aviation system. The cost of living index in Taunton sits at 108.5, positioning it slightly above the national average, which affects take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, those at FAA en route centers typically offer the highest salary potential, while terminal and tower facilities may provide lower pay scales. The variance in compensation is impacted by the level of the facility, controller certification status, and additional factors such as shift differentials and mandatory overtime. For controllers seeking to maximize their income in Taunton, pursuing shift work and maintaining a flexible schedule can be advantageous, especially given the ongoing staffing challenges across the industry.
More salary data for Taunton, 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 $158,329 for air traffic controllersin the Taunton 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 Taunton 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