The average salary for a air traffic controller in the United States is $136,790, but the range typically falls between $96,870 and $176,720. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $65.77, with a range between $46.57 and $84.96.
There are approximately 22,310 people employed as a air traffic controller in the United States. With California, Texas, Florida employing the highest number of air traffic controllers.The state with the best pay for a air traffic controller is Virginia, with an average annual salary of $162,620, while District of Columbia has the lowest average annual salary of $92,890.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $76,190 | $36.63 |
| 25th Percentile | $96,870 | $46.57 |
| Median | $137,380 | $66.05 |
| 75th Percentile | $176,720 | $84.96 |
| 90th Percentile | $200,990 | $96.63 |
The salary of a air traffic controller can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a air traffic controller in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for air traffic controllers are Virginia, New Hampshire, Illinois, Colorado, Minnesota while the worst states are District of Columbia, Wyoming, West Virginia, Mississippi, Iowa.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $83,220 | $109,950 | $139,300 |
| Alaska | $79,580 | $122,480 | $173,370 |
| Arizona | $80,100 | $130,930 | $181,400 |
| Arkansas | $38,030 | $75,950 | $120,790 |
| California | $82,280 | $150,060 | $207,600 |
| Colorado | $82,610 | $152,580 | $200,160 |
| Connecticut | $79,630 | $107,410 | $149,990 |
| District of Columbia | $34,130 | $92,890 | $198,390 |
| Florida | $84,020 | $132,030 | $183,160 |
| Georgia | $73,210 | $149,600 | $203,070 |
| Hawaii | $76,000 | $134,930 | $190,510 |
| Idaho | $80,160 | $108,560 | $136,950 |
| Illinois | $79,210 | $154,830 | $212,100 |
| Indiana | $78,850 | $136,910 | $190,200 |
| Iowa | $76,380 | $92,040 | $121,450 |
| Kansas | $74,320 | $137,900 | $185,810 |
| Kentucky | $82,890 | $121,970 | $157,620 |
| Louisiana | $76,380 | $99,520 | $135,530 |
| Maryland | $80,260 | $108,160 | $151,800 |
| Massachusetts | $77,600 | $117,580 | $181,730 |
| Michigan | $72,770 | $122,790 | $187,550 |
| Minnesota | $80,100 | $156,070 | $211,930 |
| Mississippi | $70,140 | $90,500 | $116,900 |
| Missouri | $79,280 | $112,360 | $154,610 |
| Montana | $70,220 | $91,860 | $114,050 |
| Nevada | $74,440 | $127,600 | $184,250 |
| New Hampshire | $88,090 | $163,480 | $206,020 |
| New Jersey | $65,320 | $125,990 | $188,820 |
| New Mexico | $70,220 | $129,180 | $170,710 |
| New York | $67,250 | $139,290 | $212,100 |
| North Dakota | $77,600 | $111,050 | $133,470 |
| Ohio | $74,530 | $142,140 | $200,890 |
| Oklahoma | $84,030 | $119,990 | $158,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,110 | $130,320 | $200,990 |
| Rhode Island | $82,000 | $118,890 | $142,170 |
| South Carolina | $77,600 | $103,750 | $132,180 |
| South Dakota | $76,750 | $94,040 | $114,340 |
| Tennessee | $92,410 | $137,990 | $183,210 |
| Texas | $84,660 | $146,620 | $208,600 |
| Utah | $69,860 | $136,010 | $174,030 |
| Virginia | $85,280 | $162,620 | $212,100 |
| Washington | $87,090 | $145,610 | $197,890 |
| West Virginia | $69,120 | $85,350 | $101,480 |
| Wisconsin | $70,800 | $102,190 | $139,480 |
| Wyoming | $72,220 | $87,530 | $113,550 |
Even between cities, the salary of a air traffic controller can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for air traffic controllers is Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land area, TX with an average salary of $172,690.The city with the lowest average salary for air traffic controllers is Kansas nonmetropolitan area, KS with an average salary of $85,180.
Areas with highest average salaries for air traffic controllers
Areas with lowest average salaries for air traffic controllers
The number of air traffic controllers in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of air traffic controllers has increased by 120. On average, the number of air traffic controllers has been increasing by 0.1% each year. The salary of air traffic controllers has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of air traffic controllers has increased by $9,350. On average, the salary of air traffic controllers has been increasing by 1.8% each year.
Air Traffic Controllers are part of the transportation and material moving occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for air traffic controllers compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all transportation and material moving occupations jobs here.
$63,840 per year
$46,090 per year
$72,220 per year
$69,930 per year
$50,730 per year
$62,840 per year
