📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
Air Traffic Controllers Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
Average
$144,580
per year
Median
$138,480
per year
Hourly
$69.51
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$81,180
25th Percentile — Junior$103,980
50th Percentile — Median$138,480
75th Percentile — Senior$155,280
90th Percentile — Top Earners$174,322
💡 The top 10% of Air Traffic Controllerss earn $174,322 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $81,180, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$127.8k
2021
$131.0k
2022
$134.3k
2023
$137.6k
2024
$141.1k
2025
$144.6k
2026
📈 Air Traffic Controllers salaries have grown 2.5% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $16,792.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $224,099 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $219,762 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $205,304 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $199,520 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $190,846 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $187,954 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $185,062 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $180,725 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $176,388 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $166,267 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $166,267 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $164,821 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $161,930 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $159,038 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $159,038 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $156,146 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $151,809 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $151,809 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $147,472 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $147,472 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $144,580 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $144,580 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $143,134 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $143,134 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $141,688 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $137,351 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $137,351 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $134,459 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $134,459 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $134,459 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $133,014 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $133,014 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $131,568 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $130,122 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $127,230 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $127,230 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $127,230 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $127,230 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $127,230 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $127,230 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $125,785 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $125,785 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $125,785 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $124,339 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $122,893 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $122,893 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $121,447 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $120,001 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $120,001 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $115,664 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $112,772 | -22.0% | Medium |
What Factors Affect Air Traffic Controllers Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A Air Traffic Controllers's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Air Traffic Controllerss typically earn $81,180–$103,980 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $155,280–$174,322 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Air Traffic Controllers role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 2.5% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Transportation sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
$59,710/yr
58.7% vs this role
Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers
$288,650/yr
+99.6% vs this role
Commercial Pilots
$114,480/yr
20.8% vs this role
Light Truck Drivers
$48,280/yr
66.6% vs this role
Driver Sales Workers
$43,480/yr
69.9% vs this role
Locomotive Engineers
$84,480/yr
41.6% vs this role
Registered Nurses
$101,420/yr
29.9% vs this role
Nurse Practitioners
$137,300/yr
5.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a Air Traffic Controllers?The average salary for a Air Traffic Controllers in the United States is $144,580 per year, with a median of $138,480.
-
What is the starting salary for a Air Traffic Controllers?Entry-level Air Traffic Controllerss typically earn between $81,180 and $103,980 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Air Traffic Controllerss the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Air Traffic Controllerss the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a Air Traffic Controllers make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $144,580, a Air Traffic Controllers earns approximately $69.51 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Air Traffic Controllers a good career in 2026?Yes — the Air Traffic Controllers role has medium demand with 2.5% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data