How Much Does an Air Traffic Controller Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$148,080
Air traffic controllers in the U.S. earn a median of $148,080 a year, or $71.19 an hour. Half of air traffic controllers earn more than $148,080 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $215,610.
Pay percentiles for air traffic controllers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37.70 | $78,420 |
| 25th | $50.25 | $104,520 |
| 50th (median) | $71.19 | $148,080 |
| 75th | $91.62 | $190,570 |
| 90th | $103.66 | $215,610 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Air Traffic Controllers (SOC 53-2021). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for air traffic controllers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $191,820 | $92.22 | +30% |
| Illinois | $181,560 | $87.29 | +23% |
| Georgia | $178,420 | $85.78 | +20% |
| Colorado | $177,380 | $85.28 | +20% |
| Minnesota | $176,840 | $85.02 | +19% |
| Texas | $170,080 | $81.77 | +15% |
| Washington | $162,570 | $78.16 | +10% |
| California | $160,080 | $76.96 | +8% |
| Kansas | $159,700 | $76.78 | +8% |
| Indiana | $158,810 | $76.35 | +7% |
| United States | $148,080 | $71.19 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many air traffic controllers are there?
BLS counts about 22,510 air traffic controllers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (2,290), Texas (2,060) and Florida (1,950).
The mean (average) annual wage is $146,490, lower than the median of $148,080.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $12,340
- Biweekly
- $5,695
- Weekly
- $2,848
- Daily (8 hours)
- $570
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do air traffic controllers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for air traffic controllers is $71.19. The middle 50% earn between $50.25 and $91.62 an hour.
Which state pays air traffic controllers the most?
Virginia has the highest median wage for air traffic controllers at $191,820, +30% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for air traffic controllers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of air traffic controllers earn less than $78,420 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.