Best cities for an air traffic controller
The best cities for air traffic controllers are Columbus, OH, Pittsburgh, PA, and Cleveland, OH, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for air traffic controllers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for air traffic controllers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an air traffic controller or considering a move, this list of the best cities for air traffic controllers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for air traffic controllers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an air traffic controller. While the absolute best city for air traffic controllers is Columbus, OH, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for air traffic controllers in 2024.
If you're looking for an air traffic controller job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for air traffic controllers in 2025
1. Columbus, OH
Total air traffic controller jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $52,074 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 4.66 2. Pittsburgh, PA
Total air traffic controller jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $59,012 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $109,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Cleveland, OH
Total air traffic controller jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $55,838 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $102,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Philadelphia, PA
Total air traffic controller jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $63,492 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $122,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Fort Wayne, IN
Total air traffic controller jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,843 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $98,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Detroit, MI
Total air traffic controller jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $60,995 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $110,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Henderson, NV
Total air traffic controller jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $53,652 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Toledo, OH
Total air traffic controller jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $53,646 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Anchorage, AK
Total air traffic controller jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $60,958 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $117,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Las Vegas, NV
Total air traffic controller jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $53,534 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for air traffic controllers
- Columbus, OH
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Cleveland, OH
- Philadelphia, PA
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Detroit, MI
- Henderson, NV
- Toledo, OH
- Anchorage, AK
- Las Vegas, NV
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Detailed list of the best cities for an air traffic controller
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus, OH | $52,074 | $28,000 | 860,090 | 2 |
| 2 | Pittsburgh, PA | $59,012 | $31,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 3 | Cleveland, OH | $55,838 | $30,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $63,492 | $33,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 5 | Fort Wayne, IN | $54,843 | $30,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $60,995 | $33,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 7 | Henderson, NV | $53,652 | $27,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 8 | Toledo, OH | $53,646 | $29,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 9 | Anchorage, AK | $60,958 | $31,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 10 | Las Vegas, NV | $53,534 | $27,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 11 | Mesa, AZ | $54,020 | $28,000 | 484,587 | 4 |
| 12 | Milwaukee, WI | $53,900 | $31,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 13 | North Las Vegas, NV | $53,290 | $27,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 14 | Madison, WI | $52,616 | $30,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 15 | Indianapolis, IN | $51,559 | $29,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 16 | Chandler, AZ | $54,099 | $28,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 17 | Cincinnati, OH | $48,703 | $27,000 | 298,800 | 3 |
| 18 | Boston, MA | $59,890 | $31,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 19 | Glendale, AZ | $54,093 | $28,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 20 | Gilbert, AZ | $54,072 | $28,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 21 | Phoenix, AZ | $54,046 | $28,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 22 | Tucson, AZ | $54,241 | $29,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 23 | Albuquerque, NM | $52,721 | $28,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 24 | Scottsdale, AZ | $53,914 | $28,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 25 | Durham, NC | $51,496 | $27,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 26 | Memphis, TN | $46,865 | $26,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 27 | Nashville, TN | $48,249 | $27,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 28 | Raleigh, NC | $51,376 | $27,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 29 | Lexington, KY | $47,019 | $26,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 30 | Greensboro, NC | $50,360 | $27,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 31 | Louisville, KY | $46,218 | $26,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 32 | Virginia Beach, VA | $57,748 | $30,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 33 | Charlotte, NC | $47,239 | $26,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 34 | Winston-Salem, NC | $49,804 | $27,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 35 | Norfolk, VA | $57,508 | $30,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 36 | Reno, NV | $48,819 | $24,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 37 | Chesapeake, VA | $57,073 | $30,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 38 | Saint Louis, MO | $49,621 | $28,000 | 311,404 | - |
| 39 | Baltimore, MD | $61,576 | $32,000 | 614,664 | - |
| 40 | Omaha, NE | $47,859 | $28,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 41 | Lincoln, NE | $47,181 | $27,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 42 | Atlanta, GA | $47,114 | $26,000 | 472,522 | - |
| 43 | Kansas City, MO | $47,758 | $27,000 | 481,420 | - |
| 44 | El Paso, TX | $47,009 | $25,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 45 | New Orleans, LA | $46,603 | $25,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 46 | Washington, DC | $60,529 | $31,000 | 681,170 | 5 |
| 47 | Saint Paul, MN | $49,229 | $29,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 48 | Laredo, TX | $45,096 | $24,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 49 | Minneapolis, MN | $49,140 | $29,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 50 | San Antonio, TX | $45,065 | $24,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
Highest paying cities for air traffic controllers
| Rank | City | Avg. air traffic controller salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $60,529 |
| 2 | Reston, VA | $60,387 |
| 3 | Mesa, AZ | $54,020 |
| 4 | Beavercreek, OH | $50,337 |
| 5 | New Orleans, LA | $46,603 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $44,089 |