Checked
Air Traffic Controllers Salary
Air Traffic Controllers earn a median $148,080 a year in the U.S., with 22,510 jobs (May 2025).
- Median wage
- $148,080 a year
- Employment
- 22,510
- Excludes self-employed
- Projected growth
- +1.7%
- 2025 to 2035
- Openings per year
- 2,100
- Average, including replacements
Pay range nationally
The middle half of workers earn between the 25th and 75th percentile (shaded)
- Median (50%)
- $148,080 · $71.19 an hour
- Mean (average)
- $146,490 · $70.43 an hour (estimate error ±0.3%)
- 10th percentile
- $78,420 · $37.70 an hour
- 25th percentile
- $104,520 · $50.25 an hour
- 75th percentile
- $190,570 · $91.62 an hour
- 90th percentile
- $215,610 · $103.66 an hour
- Employment
- 22,510 (estimate error ±0.7%)
What they do
Standard Occupational Classification definition
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.
Job outlook
BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035
- Jobs in 2025
- 24,000
- Projected for 2035
- 24,400
- Change
- +400 (+1.7%)
- Openings each year
- 2,100
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Self-employed
- Not reported
Occupational Outlook Handbook (duties, how to become one, work environment)
Highest paying states
Median wage for this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | State | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | $191,820 | 1,120 |
| 2 | Illinois | $181,560 | 990 |
| 3 | Georgia | $178,420 | 970 |
| 4 | Colorado | $177,380 | 740 |
| 5 | Minnesota | $176,840 | 680 |
| 6 | Texas | $170,080 | 2,060 |
| 7 | Washington | $162,570 | 620 |
| 8 | California | $160,080 | 2,290 |
| 9 | Kansas | $159,700 | 430 |
| 10 | Indiana | $158,810 | 630 |
States with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| State | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| California | 2,290 | $160,080 |
| Texas | 2,060 | $170,080 |
| Florida | 1,950 | $147,530 |
| New York | 1,150 | $144,960 |
| Virginia | 1,120 | $191,820 |
| Illinois | 990 | $181,560 |
| Georgia | 970 | $178,420 |
| District of Columbia | 820 | $47,760 |
| Colorado | 740 | $177,380 |
| Minnesota | 680 | $176,840 |
Highest paying metro areas
Metro areas with at least 100 jobs in this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | Metro area | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $198,590 | 220 |
| 2 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $196,290 | 240 |
| 3 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $193,360 | 430 |
| 4 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $189,780 | 850 |
| 5 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $186,640 | 810 |
| 6 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $186,510 | 800 |
| 7 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $179,670 | 620 |
| 8 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $178,310 | 180 |
| 9 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $175,280 | 510 |
| 10 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $174,870 | 1,800 |
| 11 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $173,020 | 690 |
| 12 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $171,910 | 470 |
Metro areas with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| Metro area | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 1,800 | $174,870 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 1,010 | Not reported |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 850 | $189,780 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 810 | $186,640 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 800 | $186,510 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 720 | $162,140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 690 | $173,020 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 620 | $179,670 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 510 | $175,280 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 470 | $171,910 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 450 | $170,120 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 430 | $161,700 |
Air Traffic Controllers pay by state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wyoming
Related occupations
Frequently asked questions
- How much do air traffic controllers make?
- The median wage for air traffic controllers in the U.S. is $148,080 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $104,520 and $190,570.
- Which state pays air traffic controllers the most?
- Virginia has the highest median wage for this occupation at $191,820 a year.
- What is the job outlook for air traffic controllers?
- BLS projects employment to grow 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, with about 2,100 openings each year on average.
- What education do air traffic controllers need?
- The typical entry-level education is: associate's degree.