Air Traffic Controller Salary in Michigan (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Michigan Median
$118,930
per year
Hourly Rate
$57.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $148,080
State Rank
#30 of 43
360 employed here

How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in Michigan?

An Air Traffic Controller working in Michigan earns a median salary of $118,930 per year, or about $57.18 per hour. That is 20% below the national median of $148,080 for this occupation.

Within Michigan, entry-level pay starts around $80,430 while the top 10% make $205,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $99,610 and $178,590 a year.

Air Traffic Controller salary range in Michigan

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$80,430$38.67
25th percentile (early career)$99,610$47.89
50th percentile (median)$118,930$57.18
75th percentile (experienced)$178,590$85.86
90th percentile (top earners)$205,380$98.74

How Michigan compares

Michigan ranks 30th 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 Michigan

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 Michigan pay ($118,930) 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 Michigan?
The median Air Traffic Controller salary in Michigan is $118,930 per year, or about $57.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $80,430 at the entry level to $205,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Michigan pay compare to the national average?
Michigan pays Air Traffic Controllers about 20% less than the national median of $148,080. Michigan ranks 30th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Michigan a good state for Air Traffic Controllers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $118,930 a year. About 360 Air Traffic Controllers are employed in Michigan. 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 Michigan?
The highest-paying occupations in Michigan include Radiologist ($485,920), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($428,570), Cardiologist ($419,030), 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.