Air Traffic Controllers Pay Range in Washington
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$91,600
- 25th Percentile — Junior$112,150
- 50th Percentile — Median$162,570
- 75th Percentile — Senior$191,030
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$209,270
Half of Air Traffic Controllers in Washington earn more than $162,570. The top 10% make $209,270 or more, while entry-level workers start around $91,600.
Air Traffic Controllers in Washington: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Washington ranks 9th of 43 states for Air Traffic Controllers pay, at $154,320 per year (5.3% above the U.S. average of $146,490).
- 620 people work as Air Traffic Controllers in Washington — 2.8% of all U.S. Air Traffic Controllers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.20: Air Traffic Controllers jobs are more concentrated in Washington than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $91,600; the top 10% earn over $209,270.
- Hourly equivalent: $74.19 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Virginia at $175,740.
- Among transportation jobs in Washington, Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pays the most ($298,560).
Air Traffic Controllers Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation
Washington's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Air Traffic Controllers here earn $154,320 on average, placing the state 9th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.25 (U.S. = 1.00), a Washington salary of $154,320 is roughly equivalent to $123,456 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Colorado ($158,790), California ($156,910), Texas ($156,370) 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 Washington
Related career salary benchmarks
- Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers $298,560/yr Washington +93.5% vs this role
- Commercial Pilots $149,860/yr Washington 2.9% vs this role
- Transportation Inspectors $114,460/yr Washington 25.8% vs this role
- Captains Mates and Pilots of Water Vessels $103,890/yr Washington 32.7% vs this role
- Locomotive Engineers $76,070/yr Washington 50.7% vs this role
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $68,230/yr Washington 55.8% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $53,520/yr Washington 65.3% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $52,360/yr Washington 66.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Air Traffic Controllers salary in Washington?
The average Air Traffic Controllers salary in Washington is $154,320 per year (median $162,570), which is 5.3% above the national average of $146,490.
How does Washington rank for Air Traffic Controllers pay?
Washington ranks 9th out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Virginia ($175,740/yr).
How much do entry-level Air Traffic Controllers make in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% of Air Traffic Controllers in Washington earn about $91,600 per year and the 25th percentile is $112,150.
How much do Air Traffic Controllers make per hour in Washington?
About $74.19 per hour, based on the $154,320 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Air Traffic Controllers work in Washington?
BLS counts 620 Air Traffic Controllers jobs in Washington (OEWS May 2025).
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