Air Traffic Controllers Pay Range in Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$94,330
- 25th Percentile — Junior$140,480
- 50th Percentile — Median$191,820
- 75th Percentile — Senior$214,360
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$225,680
Half of Air Traffic Controllers in Virginia earn more than $191,820. The top 10% make $225,680 or more, while entry-level workers start around $94,330.
Air Traffic Controllers in Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Virginia ranks 1st of 43 states for Air Traffic Controllers pay, at $175,740 per year (20.0% above the U.S. average of $146,490).
- 1,120 people work as Air Traffic Controllers in Virginia — 5.0% of all U.S. Air Traffic Controllers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.88: Air Traffic Controllers jobs are more concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $94,330; the top 10% earn over $225,680.
- Hourly equivalent: $84.49 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among transportation jobs in Virginia, Commercial Pilots pays the most ($124,590).
Air Traffic Controllers Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Air Traffic Controllers here earn $175,740 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $175,740 is roughly equivalent to $159,764 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 Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Commercial Pilots $124,590/yr Virginia 29.1% vs this role
- Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels $92,850/yr Virginia 47.2% vs this role
- Locomotive Engineers $85,310/yr Virginia 51.5% vs this role
- Transportation Inspectors $83,420/yr Virginia 52.5% vs this role
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $57,770/yr Virginia 67.1% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $48,810/yr Virginia 72.2% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $45,390/yr Virginia 74.2% vs this role
- Laborers and Freight Stock Material Movers $42,330/yr Virginia 75.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Air Traffic Controllers salary in Virginia?
The average Air Traffic Controllers salary in Virginia is $175,740 per year (median $191,820), which is 20.0% above the national average of $146,490.
How does Virginia rank for Air Traffic Controllers pay?
Virginia ranks 1st out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Virginia ($175,740/yr).
How much do entry-level Air Traffic Controllers make in Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Air Traffic Controllers in Virginia earn about $94,330 per year and the 25th percentile is $140,480.
How much do Air Traffic Controllers make per hour in Virginia?
About $84.49 per hour, based on the $175,740 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Air Traffic Controllers work in Virginia?
BLS counts 1,120 Air Traffic Controllers jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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