Air Traffic Controller Salary in Alaska (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Air Traffic Controllers in Alaska, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Alaska Median
$123,950
per year
Hourly Rate
$59.59
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $148,080
State Rank
#27 of 43
490 employed here

How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in Alaska?

An Air Traffic Controller working in Alaska earns a median salary of $123,950 per year, or about $59.59 per hour. That is 16% below the national median of $148,080 for this occupation.

Within Alaska, entry-level pay starts around $66,800 while the top 10% make $191,690 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $94,760 and $168,830 a year.

Air Traffic Controller salary range in Alaska

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$66,800$32.12
25th percentile (early career)$94,760$45.56
50th percentile (median)$123,950$59.59
75th percentile (experienced)$168,830$81.17
90th percentile (top earners)$191,690$92.16

How Alaska compares

Alaska ranks 27th out of 43 states and territories for Air Traffic Controller pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Virginia$191,820
2Illinois$181,560
3Georgia$178,420
4Colorado$177,380
5Minnesota$176,840

Working as an Air Traffic Controller in Alaska

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 Alaska pay ($123,950) 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 Alaska?
The median Air Traffic Controller salary in Alaska is $123,950 per year, or about $59.59 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $66,800 at the entry level to $191,690 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Alaska pay compare to the national average?
Alaska pays Air Traffic Controllers about 16% less than the national median of $148,080. Alaska ranks 27th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Alaska a good state for Air Traffic Controllers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $123,950 a year. About 490 Air Traffic Controllers are employed in Alaska. 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 Alaska?
The highest-paying occupations in Alaska include Emergency Medicine Physician ($452,620), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($421,450), General Internal Medicine Physician ($366,080), 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.