District of Columbia Median
$47,760
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.96
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-68% vs US median
US median $148,080
State Rank
#43 of 43
820 employed here
How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in District of Columbia?
Air Traffic Controllers in District of Columbia take home a median of $47,760 annually — roughly $22.96 an hour — which runs 68% below the national median of $148,080.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $47,760 while the top 10% make $196,310 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,760 and $174,860 a year.
Air Traffic Controller salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,760 | $22.96 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,760 | $22.96 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,760 | $22.96 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $174,860 | $84.07 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $196,310 | $94.38 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 43rd 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 $118,930Alabama $114,960South Carolina $112,030Nebraska $111,710Arkansas $109,760Vermont $109,140North Dakota $107,990Maine $107,270Montana $101,380Louisiana $99,810Wyoming $93,580Iowa $90,790Mississippi $88,110
Working as an Air Traffic Controller in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia pay ($47,760) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Air Traffic Controller salary in District of Columbia is $47,760 per year, or about $22.96 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,760 at the entry level to $196,310 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Air Traffic Controllers about 68% less than the national median of $148,080. District of Columbia ranks 43rd out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Air Traffic Controllers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $47,760 a year. About 820 Air Traffic Controllers are employed in District of Columbia. 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 District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), 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.