Minnesota Median
$176,840
per year
Hourly Rate
$85.02
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+19% vs US median
US median $148,080
State Rank
#5 of 43
680 employed here
How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in Minnesota?
An Air Traffic Controller working in Minnesota earns a median salary of $176,840 per year, or about $85.02 per hour. That is 19% above the national median of $148,080 for this occupation.
Within Minnesota, entry-level pay starts around $88,940 while the top 10% make $218,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $120,940 and $200,510 a year.
Air Traffic Controller salary range in Minnesota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,940 | $42.76 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $120,940 | $58.14 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $176,840 | $85.02 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $200,510 | $96.40 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $218,190 | $104.90 |
|
How Minnesota compares
Minnesota ranks 5th 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 $177,380Texas $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 $88,110District of Columbia $47,760
Working as an Air Traffic Controller in Minnesota
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 Minnesota pay ($176,840) 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 Minnesota?
The median Air Traffic Controller salary in Minnesota is $176,840 per year, or about $85.02 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $88,940 at the entry level to $218,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Minnesota pay compare to the national average?
Minnesota pays Air Traffic Controllers about 19% more than the national median of $148,080. Minnesota ranks 5th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Minnesota a good state for Air Traffic Controllers?
Yes on pay — Minnesota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $176,840 a year. About 680 Air Traffic Controllers are employed in Minnesota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Minnesota?
The highest-paying occupations in Minnesota include Radiologist ($708,340), Dermatologist ($625,790), Surgeon, All Other ($568,150), 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.