Air Traffic Controller Salary
Air Traffic Controllers earn a median $148,080 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
What air traffic controllers do
Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport, and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers, according to established procedures and policies. Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.7% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 2,100
Employment of air traffic controllers is projected to grow 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Air Traffic Controller take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$24,273
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,181
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,147
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$112,479
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,420 | $37.70 | $63,998 |
| 25th percentile | $104,520 | $50.25 | $82,360 |
| Median (50th) | $148,080 | $71.19 | $112,479 |
| 75th percentile | $190,570 | $91.62 | $141,897 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $215,610 | $103.66 | $160,424 |
Air Traffic Controller salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $191,820 | +3.2% | $132,613 | $94,330 – $225,680 | 1,120 |
| Illinois | $181,560 | +3.7% | $126,520 | $83,990 – $225,680 | 990 |
| Georgia | $178,420 | +2.2% | $124,579 | $90,940 – $217,590 | 970 |
| Colorado | $177,380 | +2.9% | $125,409 | $76,310 – $213,950 | 740 |
| Minnesota | $176,840 | +0.5% | $121,087 | $88,940 – $218,190 | 680 |
| Texas | $170,080 | +1.4% | $127,516 | $90,420 – $222,230 | 2,060 |
| Washington | $162,570 | −0.9% | $122,383 | $91,600 – $209,270 | 620 |
| California | $160,080 | +5.3% | $107,942 | $80,960 – $225,680 | 2,290 |
| Kansas | $159,700 | +2.0% | $112,309 | $82,060 – $199,160 | 430 |
| Indiana | $158,810 | +1.9% | $115,157 | $81,000 – $200,640 | 630 |
| Hawaii | $158,700 | +11.7% | $109,122 | $92,580 – $205,000 | 210 |
| Utah | $158,310 | +1.4% | $113,313 | $75,360 – $186,180 | 360 |
| Tennessee | $157,330 | +2.4% | $118,801 | $98,300 – $198,790 | 590 |
| New Mexico | $148,550 | +2.2% | $106,852 | $77,400 – $187,790 | 350 |
| Florida | $147,530 | +1.9% | $112,103 | $86,660 – $195,960 | 1,950 |
| New York | $144,960 | +1.9% | $102,834 | $74,320 – $225,680 | 1,150 |
| Connecticut | $140,940 | +15.6% | $101,292 | $95,180 – $175,090 | — |
| Nevada | $140,920 | −4.6% | $107,585 | $80,600 – $200,160 | 210 |
| Arizona | $136,800 | +4.5% | $101,558 | $86,630 – $195,980 | 380 |
| Pennsylvania | $132,350 | +2.4% | $97,664 | $81,490 – $225,680 | 460 |
| New Jersey | $132,230 | −2.4% | $95,412 | $88,460 – $209,730 | 190 |
| Maryland | $131,290 | +14.5% | $95,068 | $96,600 – $169,920 | 70 |
| North Carolina | $129,230 | +7.2% | $94,947 | $88,690 – $191,530 | 410 |
| Kentucky | $127,800 | +1.0% | $94,262 | $66,150 – $168,650 | 230 |
| Rhode Island | $126,300 | +2.2% | $93,195 | $61,710 – $150,180 | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $125,060 | +21.1% | $90,712 | $82,150 – $202,070 | 120 |
| Alaska | $123,950 | +3.0% | $95,986 | $66,800 – $191,690 | 490 |
| Oklahoma | $123,220 | +1.3% | $90,487 | $78,340 – $169,980 | 270 |
| Missouri | $122,200 | +5.9% | $89,984 | $90,940 – $166,610 | 260 |
| Michigan | $118,930 | +4.6% | $87,693 | $80,430 – $205,380 | 360 |
| Alabama | $114,960 | +2.0% | $84,221 | $79,420 – $159,640 | 240 |
| South Carolina | $112,030 | +4.4% | $82,078 | $71,680 – $142,830 | 190 |
| Nebraska | $111,710 | +2.5% | $83,215 | $83,030 – $147,990 | 70 |
| Arkansas | $109,760 | +10.3% | $81,978 | $76,360 – $134,430 | 80 |
| Vermont | $109,140 | — | $80,867 | $90,500 – $139,810 | 30 |
| North Dakota | $107,990 | −11.1% | $83,954 | $58,470 – $147,410 | 100 |
| Maine | $107,270 | — | $78,120 | $46,550 – $135,910 | 70 |
| Montana | $101,380 | — | $75,784 | $75,130 – $127,980 | 60 |
| Louisiana | $99,810 | +0.1% | $76,438 | $75,130 – $149,700 | 230 |
| Wyoming | $93,580 | +4.4% | $74,664 | $75,130 – $132,000 | 40 |
| Iowa | $90,790 | −4.6% | $69,903 | $54,930 – $121,720 | 120 |
| Mississippi | $88,110 | −3.7% | $68,023 | $64,380 – $127,170 | 160 |
| District of Columbia | $47,760 | +32.9% | $38,856 | $47,760 – $196,310 | 820 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $56,850 | High school diploma or equivalent | +7.8% |
| Commercial Pilot | $123,220 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.2% |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $232,140 | Bachelor's degree | +8.3% |
| Flight Attendant | $63,580 | High school diploma or equivalent | +8.8% |
| Ship Engineer | $109,530 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +2.7% |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $92,460 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +4.0% |
| Transportation Inspector | $92,100 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.2% |
| Subway and Streetcar Operator | $86,380 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.5% |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $78,000 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a air traffic controller make?
The national median salary for air traffic controllers is $148,080 a year ($71.19 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $78,420 and the top 10% earn over $215,610. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays air traffic controllers the most?
Virginia has the highest median pay at $191,820.
How many air traffic controllers are there in the U.S.?
About 22,510 people work as air traffic controllers nationwide.