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Air traffic controller salary
Average air traffic controller salary
$49,141
Average Air Traffic Controller Salary
The salary for an Air Traffic Controller varies across the United States, with an average of $49,141 per year. This figure can change based on several factors, including state of employment, years of experience, and the specific demands of the job. For instance, controllers in high-traffic areas typically earn more due to the increased responsibility and workload.
Highest Paying States
States like California and Texas often offer higher salaries for air traffic controllers due to the volume of air traffic and the presence of major airports. In California, the average salary can reach upwards of $60,000, while Florida and New York also provide competitive compensation.
Job Opportunities
In addition to salary, job opportunities for air traffic controllers can be found in various sectors, including government and private aviation. Positions often require specific certifications and training, making it essential for candidates to stay informed about the requirements and trends in the aviation industry.
Conclusion
Overall, aspiring air traffic controllers should research thoroughly to understand salary expectations and job opportunities, ensuring they make informed career choices.
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Where can an Air Traffic Controller earn more?
Air traffic controller salary estimates from across the web
Average air traffic controller salary by state
The highest-paying states for air traffic controllers are Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The lowest average air traffic controller salary states are Utah, Hawaii, and Washington.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for air traffic controllers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | $62,801 | $30.19 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $62,945 | $30.26 |
| 3 | Michigan | $60,494 | $29.08 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $58,171 | $27.97 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $62,873 | $30.23 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | $60,516 | $29.09 |
| 8 | Maryland | $61,258 | $29.45 |
| 9 | Ohio | $52,958 | $25.46 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $61,701 | $29.66 |
| 11 | Nevada | $52,607 | $25.29 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $53,489 | $25.72 |
| 13 | Alaska | $59,098 | $28.41 |
| 14 | Virginia | $57,873 | $27.82 |
| 15 | Indiana | $52,083 | $25.04 |
| 16 | New Mexico | $53,091 | $25.52 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $49,105 | $23.61 |
| 18 | Vermont | $55,532 | $26.70 |
| 19 | Arizona | $54,135 | $26.03 |
| 20 | Maine | $55,999 | $26.92 |
| 21 | California | $51,763 | $24.89 |
| 22 | West Virginia | $52,732 | $25.35 |
| 23 | Mississippi | $48,301 | $23.22 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $49,582 | $23.84 |
| 25 | Tennessee | $47,982 | $23.07 |
| 26 | Colorado | $44,354 | $21.32 |
| 27 | North Dakota | $44,013 | $21.16 |
| 28 | Nebraska | $47,313 | $22.75 |
| 29 | Arkansas | $46,653 | $22.43 |
| 30 | Georgia | $47,011 | $22.60 |
| 31 | Missouri | $48,520 | $23.33 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $46,249 | $22.24 |
| 33 | Oregon | $42,403 | $20.39 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $44,125 | $21.21 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $43,447 | $20.89 |
| 36 | Wyoming | $39,796 | $19.13 |
| 37 | Florida | $44,496 | $21.39 |
| 38 | Texas | $43,461 | $20.89 |
| 39 | New York | $41,820 | $20.11 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $46,510 | $22.36 |
| 41 | New Jersey | $42,032 | $20.21 |
| 42 | Alabama | $43,974 | $21.14 |
| 43 | Utah | $38,265 | $18.40 |
| 44 | Hawaii | $36,094 | $17.35 |
| 45 | Illinois | $33,525 | $16.12 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $43,329 | $20.83 |
| 47 | Montana | $40,124 | $19.29 |
| 48 | Idaho | $40,471 | $19.46 |
| 49 | Washington | $35,636 | $17.13 |
| 50 | Kansas | $28,518 | $13.71 |
| 51 | Iowa | $30,858 | $14.84 |
Highest paying cities for air traffic controllers
The highest-paying cities for air traffic controllers are Washington, DC, Reston, VA, and Mesa, AZ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $60,529 | $29.10 |
| 2 | Reston, VA | $60,387 | $29.03 |
| 3 | Mesa, AZ | $54,020 | $25.97 |
| 4 | Beavercreek, OH | $50,337 | $24.20 |
| 5 | New Orleans, LA | $46,603 | $22.41 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $44,089 | $21.20 |
Air traffic controller salary details
An air traffic controller's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $90,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an air traffic controller's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $90,000 | $7,500 | $43 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,000 | $5,583 | $32 |
| Average | $49,141 | $4,095 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
Highest paying air traffic controller jobs
The highest paying types of air traffic controllers are certified professional controller, air route controller, and air traffic supervisor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Controller | $39,099 | $3,258 | $18.80 | 17,859 |
Top companies hiring air traffic controllers now:
Which companies pay air traffic controllers the most?
Air traffic controller salaries at SAIC and Acuity Insurance are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average air traffic controller salary at companies like Serco and Us Army Reserves are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SAIC | $71,549 | $34.40 |
| 2 | Acuity Insurance | $68,383 | $32.88 |
| 3 | Serco | $68,371 | $32.87 |
| 4 | Us Army Reserves | $50,664 | $24.36 |
| 5 | Serco | $49,887 | $23.98 |
| 6 | Science | $49,887 | $23.98 |
| 7 | Amazon | $45,093 | $21.68 |
| 8 | Aims Community College | $30,219 | $14.53 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Air traffic controller salary trends
The average air traffic controller salary has risen by $6,360 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average air traffic controller earned $42,781 annually, but today, they earn $49,141 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for air traffic controllers over the last decade.
Compare air traffic controller salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average air traffic controller salary over time
Compare air traffic controller salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Air traffic controller salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $49,100 | $23.63 | +5.7% |
| 2025 | $46,300 | $22.28 | -1.3% |
| 2024 | $46,900 | $22.56 | 0.0% |
| 2023 | $46,900 | $22.56 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $46,100 | $22.17 | -0.4% |
Recently added air traffic controller salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass Pro Shops | Ramp Tower Controller-Air Traffic Strategy | Ione, CA | 02/25/2025 | $68,640 |
| Ual-Pro | Ramp Tower Controller-Air Traffic Strategy | Houston, TX | 02/22/2025 | $64,885 |
| United Airlines | Ramp Tower Controller-Air Traffic Strategy | Houston, TX | 02/19/2025 | $64,885 |
| Success at School | Air Traffic Controller | Hampshire, IL | 02/19/2025 | $54,589 |
| Aims | Faculty, Air Traffic Controller | Windsor, CO | 02/18/2025 | $36,540 |
| Ual-Pro | Ramp Tower Controller-Air Traffic Strategy | Ione, CA | 02/18/2025 | $68,640 |
| Course Advisor Inc. | Air Traffic Controllers | Nevada | 02/16/2025 | $94,370 |
| United Airlines | Ramp Tower Controller-Air Traffic Strategy | San Francisco, CA | 02/12/2025 | $68,640 |
| Course Advisor Inc. | Air Traffic Controllers | Nevada | 11/26/2024 | $94,370 |
| Careerbuilder | Air Traffic Controller | Las Vegas, NV | 10/23/2024 | $67,000 |
Air traffic controller salary FAQs
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