Air traffic controller earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level air traffic controller earnings begin at:

$61.53 per hour

$127,980 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level air traffic controller earnings begin at:

$52.25 per hour

$108,680 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level air traffic controller earnings begin at:

$48.74 per hour

$101,380 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level air traffic controller earnings begin at:

$39.92 per hour

$83,030 per year

10th percentile

Starting level air traffic controller earnings begin at:

$36.12 per hour

$75,130 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Air traffic controller salary by state

State Name Average Salary
Louisiana $99,810
Wisconsin $98,860
Puerto Rico $98,770
Wyoming $93,580
Oregon $92,030
Iowa $90,790
Mississippi $88,110
Guam $84,900
Idaho $81,118
South Dakota $79,120
West Virginia $76,220
District of Columbia $47,760
Virginia $191,820
Illinois $181,560
Georgia $178,420
Colorado $177,380
Minnesota $176,840
Texas $170,080
Washington $162,570
California $160,080
Kansas $159,700
Indiana $158,810
Hawaii $158,700
Utah $158,310
Tennessee $157,330
New Mexico $148,550
Florida $147,530
New Hampshire $146,080
New York $144,960
Connecticut $140,940
Nevada $140,920
Ohio $139,970
Arizona $136,800
Pennsylvania $132,350
New Jersey $132,230
Maryland $131,290
North Carolina $129,230
Kentucky $127,800
Rhode Island $126,300
Massachusetts $125,060
Alaska $123,950
Oklahoma $123,220
Missouri $122,200
Michigan $118,930
Alabama $114,960
South Carolina $112,030
Nebraska $111,710
Arkansas $109,760
Vermont $109,140
North Dakota $107,990
Maine $107,270
Montana $101,380

How do air traffic controller salaries compare to similar careers?

Air traffic controllers earn 10% more than similar careers in Montana. On average, they make more than ship loaders.

Career Median Salary
Air traffic controller salary $101K
Locomotive engineer salary $90K
Logistician salary $81K
Transportation planner salary $82K
Ship loader salary $80K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)