How much does a air traffic controller make?
The median air traffic controller in the United States earns $148,080 per year, about $71.19 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all air traffic controllers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-2021.
Air traffic controller salary range
Pay for air traffic controllers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $78,420 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $215,610. The average (mean) wage is $146,490, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $78,420 | $37.70 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $104,520 | $50.25 | |
| Median (50th) | $148,080 | $71.19 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $190,570 | $91.62 | |
| 90th percentile | $215,610 | $103.66 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Air traffic controller salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Air traffic controllers earn the most in Virginia at $191,820 a year, and the least in District of Columbia at $47,760. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $191,820 | 1,120 |
| Illinois | $181,560 | 990 |
| Georgia | $178,420 | 970 |
| Colorado | $177,380 | 740 |
| Minnesota | $176,840 | 680 |
| Texas | $170,080 | 2,060 |
| Washington | $162,570 | 620 |
| California | $160,080 | 2,290 |
| Kansas | $159,700 | 430 |
| Indiana | $158,810 | 630 |
| Hawaii | $158,700 | 210 |
| Utah | $158,310 | 360 |
| Tennessee | $157,330 | 590 |
| New Mexico | $148,550 | 350 |
| Florida | $147,530 | 1,950 |
| New York | $144,960 | 1,150 |
| Connecticut | $140,940 | N/A |
| Nevada | $140,920 | 210 |
| Arizona | $136,800 | 380 |
| Pennsylvania | $132,350 | 460 |
| New Jersey | $132,230 | 190 |
| Maryland | $131,290 | 70 |
| North Carolina | $129,230 | 410 |
| Kentucky | $127,800 | 230 |
| Rhode Island | $126,300 | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $125,060 | 120 |
| Alaska | $123,950 | 490 |
| Oklahoma | $123,220 | 270 |
| Missouri | $122,200 | 260 |
| Michigan | $118,930 | 360 |
| Alabama | $114,960 | 240 |
| South Carolina | $112,030 | 190 |
| Nebraska | $111,710 | 70 |
| Arkansas | $109,760 | 80 |
| Vermont | $109,140 | 30 |
| North Dakota | $107,990 | 100 |
| Maine | $107,270 | 70 |
| Montana | $101,380 | 60 |
| Louisiana | $99,810 | 230 |
| Wyoming | $93,580 | 40 |
| Iowa | $90,790 | 120 |
| Mississippi | $88,110 | 160 |
| District of Columbia | $47,760 | 820 |
State median wages for air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for air traffic controllers
The BLS projects employment of air traffic controllers to grow 1.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 24,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 24,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,100 openings a year for air traffic controllers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an air traffic controller
The typical entry-level education for air traffic controllers is an associate's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an air traffic controller earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Virginia, $191,820) and the lowest (District of Columbia, $47,760) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 22,510 people work as air traffic controllers in the United States. At $148,080 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Air traffic controller salary FAQ
How much does an air traffic controller make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an air traffic controller is $71.19. The middle half of air traffic controllers earn between $50.25 and $91.62 per hour.
What is the highest air traffic controller salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of air traffic controllers earn more than $215,610 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an air traffic controller make a year?
The median annual salary for an air traffic controller is $148,080. The average (mean) wage is $146,490, close to the median.
Is being an air traffic controller a well paid job?
At $148,080 a year, an air traffic controller earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 22,510 people work as air traffic controllers in the United States.
Which state pays air traffic controllers the most?
Virginia has the highest median salary for air traffic controllers at $191,820 a year. Illinois ($181,560) and Georgia ($178,420) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an air traffic controller a good career?
Employment of air traffic controllers is projected to grow 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an air traffic controller?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for air traffic controllers as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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