Washington Median
$162,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$78.16
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $148,080
State Rank
#7 of 43
620 employed here
How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in Washington?
An Air Traffic Controller working in Washington earns a median salary of $162,570 per year, or about $78.16 per hour. That is 10% above the national median of $148,080 for this occupation.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $91,600 while the top 10% make $209,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $112,150 and $191,030 a year.
Air Traffic Controller salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $91,600 | $44.04 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $112,150 | $53.92 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $162,570 | $78.16 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $191,030 | $91.84 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $209,270 | $100.61 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 7th 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 $170,080California $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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($162,570) 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 Washington?
The median Air Traffic Controller salary in Washington is $162,570 per year, or about $78.16 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $91,600 at the entry level to $209,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Air Traffic Controllers about 10% more than the national median of $148,080. Washington ranks 7th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Air Traffic Controllers?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $162,570 a year. About 620 Air Traffic Controllers are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.