New Mexico Median
$148,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$71.42
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+0% vs US median
US median $148,080
State Rank
#14 of 43
350 employed here
How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in New Mexico?
An Air Traffic Controller working in New Mexico earns a median salary of $148,550 per year, or about $71.42 per hour. That is 0% above the national median of $148,080 for this occupation.
Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $77,400 while the top 10% make $187,790 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $120,120 and $170,660 a year.
Air Traffic Controller salary range in New Mexico
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,400 | $37.21 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $120,120 | $57.75 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $148,550 | $71.42 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $170,660 | $82.05 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $187,790 | $90.28 |
|
How New Mexico compares
New Mexico ranks 14th 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 $157,330Florida $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 New Mexico
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 New Mexico pay ($148,550) 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 New Mexico?
The median Air Traffic Controller salary in New Mexico is $148,550 per year, or about $71.42 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $77,400 at the entry level to $187,790 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Air Traffic Controllers about 0% more than the national median of $148,080. New Mexico ranks 14th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Air Traffic Controllers?
Yes on pay — New Mexico pays above the national median for this occupation, at $148,550 a year. About 350 Air Traffic Controllers are employed in New Mexico. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), 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.