Median Salary
$148,080
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$71.19
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$215,610
entry level starts ~$78,420
Pay Grade
A+
elite pay · 23,000 employed
How much does an Air Traffic Controller make?
Air Traffic Controllers in the United States bring home a median salary of $148,080 a year, or around $71.19 an hour. Pay spans a wide range: the bottom 10% earn under $78,420, while the top 10% earn $215,610.
That is $86,690 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Air Traffic Controller salary range by percentile
Half of all Air Traffic Controllers earn between $104,520 and $190,570 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,420 | $37.70 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $104,520 | $50.25 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $148,080 | $71.19 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $190,570 | $91.62 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $215,610 | $103.66 |
|
Highest-paying states for Air Traffic Controller
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Virginia leads the country for Air Traffic Controller pay at $191,820 a year, followed by Illinois ($181,560) and Georgia ($178,420). At the other end, District of Columbia posts the lowest median at $47,760 — a gap of $144,060 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 43 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
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 $88,110District of Columbia $47,760
Workforce and education
About 23,000 people work as Air Traffic Controllers in the United States. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in the United States?
The median Air Traffic Controller salary in the United States is $148,080 per year, or about $71.19 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $78,420, while the top 10% of earners make $215,610 or more.
How does Air Traffic Controller pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of A+ (elite pay), the Air Traffic Controller median of $148,080 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Air Traffic Controllers the most?
Virginia is the highest-paying state for Air Traffic Controllers, with a median salary of $191,820 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become an Air Traffic Controller?
Becoming an Air Traffic Controller typically requires a high school diploma. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
How many Air Traffic Controllers work in the United States?
About 23,000 people were employed as Air Traffic Controllers in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.