Air Traffic Controllers

Occupation

$144,580
National Median Salary
$69.51
Median Hourly Wage
22,400
Total Employment

Salary Distribution

$76,090
$101,150
$144,580
$186,510
$210,410

10th percentile → 25th → Median → 75th → 90th percentile

Salary Trend (2014-2024)

+18.2%
10 Year Change
$122,340
2014 Median
$144,580
2024 Median
Best Paying Industries Industry Wage Growth Best Paying States Fastest Growing States Where This Career Pays Above Average

Top Paying Industries for Air Traffic Controllers

Industry Annual Median Employment
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services $176,570 60
Engineering Services $176,570 60
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services $164,370 70
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) $154,000 20,130
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) $153,420 20,230

View all 15 industries →

Top Paying States for Air Traffic Controllers

State Annual Median Employment
Virginia $185,890 1,130
Minnesota $176,030 630
Illinois $175,090 1,000
Georgia $174,600 970
Colorado $172,310 780

View all states →

Related Occupations

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers Commercial Pilots Air Transportation Workers Ship Engineers

Explore Air Traffic Controllers by State

Virginia Minnesota Illinois Georgia Colorado Texas Washington Kansas Utah Indiana Tennessee California Nevada New Mexico Florida

Explore Air Traffic Controllers by Industry

See how this career performs in specific industries

Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services Engineering Services Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) Nonscheduled Air Transportation Air Transportation Facilities Support Services Scheduled Air Transportation Support Activities for Air Transportation Support Activities for Transportation Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)