Air Traffic Controllers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$80,960
- 25th Percentile — Junior$115,810
- 50th Percentile — Median$160,080
- 75th Percentile — Senior$207,670
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$225,680
Half of Air Traffic Controllers in California earn more than $160,080. The top 10% make $225,680 or more, while entry-level workers start around $80,960.
Air Traffic Controllers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 6th of 43 states for Air Traffic Controllers pay, at $156,910 per year (7.1% above the U.S. average of $146,490).
- 2,290 people work as Air Traffic Controllers in California — 10.2% of all U.S. Air Traffic Controllers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.87: Air Traffic Controllers jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $80,960; the top 10% earn over $225,680.
- Hourly equivalent: $75.44 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Virginia at $175,740.
- Among transportation jobs in California, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($310,190).
Air Traffic Controllers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Air Traffic Controllers here earn $156,910 on average, placing the state 6th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $156,910 is roughly equivalent to $110,500 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Georgia ($164,700), Illinois ($164,200), Minnesota ($162,920) are the closest alternatives for Air Traffic Controllers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Transportation Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers $310,190/yr California +97.7% vs this role
- Commercial Pilots $202,040/yr California +28.8% vs this role
- Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels $129,580/yr California 17.4% vs this role
- Transportation Inspectors $88,500/yr California 43.6% vs this role
- Locomotive Engineers $75,600/yr California 51.8% vs this role
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $62,020/yr California 60.5% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $53,310/yr California 66.0% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $50,360/yr California 67.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Air Traffic Controllers salary in California?
The average Air Traffic Controllers salary in California is $156,910 per year (median $160,080), which is 7.1% above the national average of $146,490.
How does California rank for Air Traffic Controllers pay?
California ranks 6th out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Virginia ($175,740/yr).
How much do entry-level Air Traffic Controllers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Air Traffic Controllers in California earn about $80,960 per year and the 25th percentile is $115,810.
How much do Air Traffic Controllers make per hour in California?
About $75.44 per hour, based on the $156,910 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Air Traffic Controllers work in California?
BLS counts 2,290 Air Traffic Controllers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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