California Median
$160,080
per year
Hourly Rate
$76.96
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $148,080
State Rank
#8 of 43
2,290 employed here
How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in California?
An Air Traffic Controller working in California earns a median salary of $160,080 per year, or about $76.96 per hour. That is 8% above the national median of $148,080 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $80,960 while the top 10% make $225,680 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $115,810 and $207,670 a year.
Air Traffic Controller salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,960 | $38.92 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $115,810 | $55.68 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $160,080 | $76.96 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $207,670 | $99.84 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,680 | $108.50 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 8th 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 $162,570Kansas $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 $118,930Alabama $114,960South 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 California
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 California pay ($160,080) 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 California?
The median Air Traffic Controller salary in California is $160,080 per year, or about $76.96 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $80,960 at the entry level to $225,680 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Air Traffic Controllers about 8% more than the national median of $148,080. California ranks 8th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Air Traffic Controllers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $160,080 a year. About 2,290 Air Traffic Controllers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), 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.