Air Traffic Controller Salary in 2026
Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of aircraft on the ground and in the air, ensuring safe distances between planes. They direct takeoffs, landings, and routing in all weather conditions.
Median Salary
$148,080
$12,340/mo
Entry Level
$93,700
starting pay
Senior Level
$193,200
experienced
Job Growth
+3%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Air Traffic Controllers (SOC 53-2021) at a national median of $148,080 per year (mean $146,490), or $71.19 per hour, with 22,510 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Air Traffic Controller Overview
Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of aircraft on the ground and in the air, ensuring safe distances between planes. They direct takeoffs, landings, and routing in all weather conditions.
Education
Associate's Degree + FAA Training
Experience
FAA Academy
Industry
Transportation
Total Jobs (US)
23K
5-Year Growth
+15%
Category
Transportation
Hourly Rate
$71.19/hr
Monthly Pay
$12,340
Air Traffic Controller Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Air Traffic Controller salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Air Traffic Controller Salary
$159,000
$13,250/month · $6,115/biweekly · $76.44/hr
Air Traffic Controller Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Air Traffic Controller field.
Entry-level Air Traffic Controllers earn around $93,700, while the top 10% earn $212,300 or more.
Top Paying States for Air Traffic Controllers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $175,000 | +$26,920 |
| Virginia | $157,000 | +$8,920 |
| Illinois | $154,000 | +$5,920 |
| Texas | $145,000 | $-3,080 |
| Georgia | $144,000 | $-4,080 |
Top Paying Cities for Air Traffic Controllers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| AtlantaBLS metro | $186,640 | +$38,560 |
| Washington DC | $170,000 | +$21,920 |
| Los Angeles | $166,000 | +$17,920 |
| Chicago | $155,000 | +$6,920 |
| Dallas | $148,000 | $-80 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Air Traffic Controllers in that city's metropolitan statistical area (1 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Air Traffic Controller Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Air Traffic Controller.
- Abilene, TX
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Boise, ID
- Boston, MA
- Charlotte, NC
- Cincinnati, OH
- Clearwater, FL
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Elizabeth, NJ
- Folsom, CA
- Honolulu, HI
- Houston, TX
- Las Vegas, NV
- Longmont, CO
- Los Angeles, CA
- Memphis, TN
- Miami, FL
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
- Newark, NJ
- Omaha, NE
- Orlando, FL
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Rochester, MN
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Tampa, FL
- Wichita, KS
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Air Traffic Controller Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Air Traffic Controller from entry level to expert.
$93,700
0-2 years
$143,000
3-7 years
$193,200
8-14 years
$231,400
15+ years
Related Transportation Jobs
Air Traffic Controller Salary FAQ
How much does a Air Traffic Controller make in 2026?
The median salary for a Air Traffic Controller in the United States is $148,080 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Air Traffic Controllers (SOC 53-2021); the mean is $146,490. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $93,700, senior professionals around $193,200, and top earners at $231,400 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Air Traffic Controller?
A Air Traffic Controller typically requires a Associate's Degree + FAA Training with FAA Academy of experience. Key skills include Radar Systems, Communication, Decision Making. Relevant certifications such as FAA Certification or Medical Certificate can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Air Traffic Controllers?
The job market for Air Traffic Controllers is projected to grow by 3% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 23K Air Traffic Controller positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 15%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Air Traffic Controllers the most?
The highest-paying states for Air Traffic Controllers include Texas, California, Illinois. In Texas, the median salary is approximately $145,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Air Traffic Controller salary?
To increase your Air Traffic Controller salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Radar Systems and Communication. Pursue certifications such as FAA Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Dallas. With FAA Academy of experience, you can progress from $93,700 to $193,200 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Air Traffic Controller Salary
How we calculate Air Traffic Controller salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Air Traffic Controllers (SOC 53-2021), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $148,080, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Air Traffic Controllers; BLS mean $146,490; BLS hourly median $71.19.
- Entry-level ($93,700) and senior-level ($193,200) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +3% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 22,510 Air Traffic Controllers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 15% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Transportation sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Associate's Degree + FAA Training, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $148,080; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Air Traffic Controller compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Air Traffic Controller job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Transportation
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Air Traffic Controller salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Radar Systems, Communication, Decision Making), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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