Air Traffic Controllers Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$47,760
- 25th Percentile — Junior$47,760
- 50th Percentile — Median$47,760
- 75th Percentile — Senior$174,860
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$196,310
Half of Air Traffic Controllers in District of Columbia earn more than $47,760. The top 10% make $196,310 or more, while entry-level workers start around $47,760.
Air Traffic Controllers in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 40th of 43 states for Air Traffic Controllers pay, at $96,410 per year (34.2% below the U.S. average of $146,490).
- 820 people work as Air Traffic Controllers in District of Columbia — 3.6% of all U.S. Air Traffic Controllers jobs.
- Location quotient 8.08: Air Traffic Controllers jobs are more concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,760; the top 10% earn over $196,310.
- Hourly equivalent: $46.35 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Virginia at $175,740.
- Among transportation jobs in District of Columbia, Transportation Inspectors pays the most ($106,370).
Air Traffic Controllers Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Air Traffic Controllers here earn $96,410 on average, placing the state 40th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $96,410 is roughly equivalent to $63,428 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, North Dakota ($106,930), Louisiana ($106,280), Montana ($98,700) 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 District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Transportation Inspectors $106,370/yr District of Columbia +10.3% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $76,770/yr District of Columbia 20.4% vs this role
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $67,710/yr District of Columbia 29.8% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $51,920/yr District of Columbia 46.1% vs this role
- Laborers and Freight Stock Material Movers $49,250/yr District of Columbia 48.9% vs this role
- Driver Sales Workers $45,430/yr District of Columbia 52.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Air Traffic Controllers salary in District of Columbia?
The average Air Traffic Controllers salary in District of Columbia is $96,410 per year (median $47,760), which is 34.2% below the national average of $146,490.
How does District of Columbia rank for Air Traffic Controllers pay?
District of Columbia ranks 40th out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Virginia ($175,740/yr).
How much do entry-level Air Traffic Controllers make in District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Air Traffic Controllers in District of Columbia earn about $47,760 per year and the 25th percentile is $47,760.
How much do Air Traffic Controllers make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $46.35 per hour, based on the $96,410 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Air Traffic Controllers work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 820 Air Traffic Controllers jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
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