Alabama Median
$114,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$55.27
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-22% vs US median
US median $148,080
State Rank
#31 of 43
240 employed here
How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in Alabama?
Air Traffic Controllers in Alabama take home a median of $114,960 annually — roughly $55.27 an hour — which runs 22% below the national median of $148,080.
Within Alabama, entry-level pay starts around $79,420 while the top 10% make $159,640 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $100,310 and $138,050 a year.
Air Traffic Controller salary range in Alabama
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,420 | $38.18 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $100,310 | $48.23 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $114,960 | $55.27 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $138,050 | $66.37 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,640 | $76.75 |
|
How Alabama compares
Alabama ranks 31st out of 43 states and territories for Air Traffic Controller pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Air Traffic Controller salary in other states
Virginia $191,820Illinois $181,560Georgia $178,420Colorado $177,380Minnesota $176,840Texas $170,080Washington $162,570California $160,080Kansas $159,700Indiana $158,810Hawaii $158,700Utah $158,310Tennessee $157,330New Mexico $148,550Florida $147,530New York $144,960Connecticut $140,940Nevada $140,920Arizona $136,800Pennsylvania $132,350New Jersey $132,230Maryland $131,290North Carolina $129,230Kentucky $127,800Rhode Island $126,300Massachusetts $125,060Alaska $123,950Oklahoma $123,220Missouri $122,200Michigan $118,930South Carolina $112,030Nebraska $111,710Arkansas $109,760Vermont $109,140North Dakota $107,990Maine $107,270Montana $101,380Louisiana $99,810Wyoming $93,580Iowa $90,790Mississippi $88,110District of Columbia $47,760
Working as an Air Traffic Controller in Alabama
Nationally, about 23,000 people work as Air Traffic Controllers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Alabama pay ($114,960) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in Alabama?
The median Air Traffic Controller salary in Alabama is $114,960 per year, or about $55.27 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $79,420 at the entry level to $159,640 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Alabama pay compare to the national average?
Alabama pays Air Traffic Controllers about 22% less than the national median of $148,080. Alabama ranks 31st out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Alabama a good state for Air Traffic Controllers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $114,960 a year. About 240 Air Traffic Controllers are employed in Alabama. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Alabama?
The highest-paying occupations in Alabama include Cardiologist ($519,480), Dermatologist ($394,550), Anesthesiologist ($392,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Air Traffic Controller salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.