Air Traffic Controllers Salary (2025)
Based on 22,510 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $78,420 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $104,520 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $148,080 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $190,570 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $215,610 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$78K
25th
$105K
Median
$148K
75th
$191K
90th
$216K
Highest Paying States for Air Traffic Controllers
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| Virginia | $175,740 |
| Georgia | $164,700 |
| Illinois | $164,200 |
| Minnesota | $162,920 |
| Colorado | $158,790 |
| California | $156,910 |
| Texas | $156,370 |
| New York | $154,660 |
| Washington | $154,320 |
| Hawaii | $151,040 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Air Traffic Controllers salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is Virginia at an average of $175,740 per year, while Hawaii has an average of $151,040 — a difference of $24,700. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Air Traffic Controllers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 22,510 workers were employed as Air Traffic Controllerss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Transportation and Material Moving Occupations. The annual mean wage of $146,490 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 53-2021