What does a Air Traffic Controllers salary really buy you in Virginia?
Virginia is 2.1% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
Virginia's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 102.1, meaning prices are 2.1% higher the national average. A Air Traffic Controllers earning $185,890 in Virginia has the equivalent purchasing power of $182,066 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Virginia's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $91,020 | $89,147 | $-1,872 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $137,470 | $134,642 | $-2,827 |
| Median (P50) | $185,890 | $182,066 | $-3,823 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $209,060 | $204,760 | $-4,299 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $221,890 | $217,326 | $-4,563 |
Virginia's cost of living is close to the national average, so $185,890 keeps most of its value at $182,066 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.
Where does Air Traffic Controllers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Virginia ranks #2 out of 44 states for Air Traffic Controllers after cost-of-living adjustment.
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A Air Traffic Controllers in Virginia earns a median salary of $185,890 per year. After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (RPP=102.1), the real purchasing power is $182,066 — a -2.1% difference.
Virginia's cost of living is 2.1% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Virginia is 102.1 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Air Traffic Controllers in Virginia: $185,890 x (100 / 102.1) = $182,066. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Air Traffic Controllers's nominal salary of $185,890 in Virginia has 2.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $182,066. However, Virginia may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.