BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Air Traffic Controllers in Colorado

$158,790 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$76.34 per hour

▲ 8.4% above U.S. average5th of 43 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$158,790per year
Median$177,380per year
Hourly$76.34per hour
10th – 90th percentile$76,310 – $213,950per year

Air Traffic Controllers Pay Range in Colorado

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$76,310
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$108,990
  • 50th Percentile — Median$177,380
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$204,150
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$213,950

Half of Air Traffic Controllers in Colorado earn more than $177,380. The top 10% make $213,950 or more, while entry-level workers start around $76,310.

Air Traffic Controllers in Colorado: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Colorado ranks 5th of 43 states for Air Traffic Controllers pay, at $158,790 per year (8.4% above the U.S. average of $146,490).
  • 740 people work as Air Traffic Controllers in Colorado — 3.3% of all U.S. Air Traffic Controllers jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.77: Air Traffic Controllers jobs are more concentrated in Colorado than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $76,310; the top 10% earn over $213,950.
  • Hourly equivalent: $76.34 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Virginia at $175,740.
  • Among transportation jobs in Colorado, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($290,850).

Air Traffic Controllers Job Market in Colorado

Key factors affecting compensation

Colorado's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Tourism, and its job market is rated very strong. Air Traffic Controllers here earn $158,790 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Colorado salary of $158,790 is roughly equivalent to $144,355 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Virginia ($175,740), Georgia ($164,700), Illinois ($164,200) 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

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Air Traffic Controllers salary in Colorado?

The average Air Traffic Controllers salary in Colorado is $158,790 per year (median $177,380), which is 8.4% above the national average of $146,490.

How does Colorado rank for Air Traffic Controllers pay?

Colorado ranks 5th out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Virginia ($175,740/yr).

How much do entry-level Air Traffic Controllers make in Colorado?

The lowest-paid 10% of Air Traffic Controllers in Colorado earn about $76,310 per year and the 25th percentile is $108,990.

How much do Air Traffic Controllers make per hour in Colorado?

About $76.34 per hour, based on the $158,790 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Air Traffic Controllers work in Colorado?

BLS counts 740 Air Traffic Controllers jobs in Colorado (OEWS May 2025).

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