Top 15 cities for air traffic controllers by average salary
| San Francisco, CA | $179,320 |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | $177,260 |
| Atlanta, GA | $176,190 |
| Chicago, IL | $174,320 |
| Sacramento, CA | $173,710 |
| Dallas, TX | $173,430 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $169,370 |
| Seattle, WA | $163,230 |
| Detroit, MI | $163,150 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $160,990 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $157,890 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $156,710 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $156,650 |
| Miami, FL | $154,760 |
| Kansas City, MO | $153,000 |
Map: Air Traffic Controllers salary by metro area
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Air Traffic Controllers salary by state
Virginia pays air traffic controllers the most statewide, $175,740 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $175,740 | $191,820 | 1,120 | 1 | $115,560 | $115,560 |
| Georgia | $164,700 | $178,420 | 970 | 1 | $176,190 | $176,190 |
| Illinois | $164,200 | $181,560 | 990 | 1 | $174,320 | $174,320 |
| Minnesota | $162,920 | $176,840 | 680 | 1 | $169,370 | $169,370 |
| Colorado | $158,790 | $177,380 | 740 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| California | $156,910 | $160,080 | 2,290 | 4 | $179,320 | $96,750 |
| Texas | $156,370 | $170,080 | 2,060 | 1 | $173,430 | $173,430 |
| New York | $154,660 | $144,960 | 1,150 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Washington | $154,320 | $162,570 | 620 | 1 | $163,230 | $163,230 |
| Hawaii | $151,040 | $158,700 | 210 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kansas | $149,440 | $159,700 | 430 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Tennessee | $149,020 | $157,330 | 590 | 1 | $145,560 | $145,560 |
| Utah | $147,710 | $158,310 | 360 | 1 | $151,280 | $151,280 |
| Indiana | $145,010 | $158,810 | 630 | 1 | $160,990 | $160,990 |
| Florida | $144,140 | $147,530 | 1,950 | 5 | $156,710 | $122,190 |
| Nevada | $143,990 | $140,920 | 210 | 1 | $152,620 | $152,620 |
| Pennsylvania | $143,180 | $132,350 | 460 | 1 | $177,260 | $177,260 |
| Connecticut | $141,920 | $140,940 | n/a | 1 | $139,290 | $139,290 |
| Arizona | $140,340 | $136,800 | 380 | 1 | $157,890 | $157,890 |
| New Mexico | $140,280 | $148,550 | 350 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Jersey | $139,660 | $132,230 | 190 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| North Carolina | $136,490 | $129,230 | 410 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Maryland | $136,220 | $131,290 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Michigan | $134,670 | $118,930 | 360 | 1 | $163,150 | $163,150 |
| Massachusetts | $132,750 | $125,060 | 120 | 1 | $140,590 | $140,590 |
| Alaska | $130,420 | $123,950 | 490 | 2 | $152,540 | $109,690 |
| Ohio | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $126,560 | $126,560 |
| Missouri | $125,950 | $122,200 | 260 | 2 | $153,000 | $129,420 |
| Oklahoma | $125,280 | $123,220 | 270 | 1 | $139,870 | $139,870 |
| Puerto Rico | $122,150 | $125,780 | 110 | 1 | $123,030 | $123,030 |
| Kentucky | $121,910 | $127,800 | 230 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Rhode Island | $120,870 | $126,300 | 50 | 1 | $119,990 | $119,990 |
| Alabama | $117,540 | $114,960 | 240 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Nebraska | $113,210 | $111,710 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| South Carolina | $110,990 | $112,030 | 190 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Vermont | $109,830 | $109,140 | 30 | 1 | $109,830 | $109,830 |
| Arkansas | $108,570 | $109,760 | 80 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| North Dakota | $106,930 | $107,990 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Louisiana | $106,280 | $99,810 | 230 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Montana | $98,700 | $101,380 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Wyoming | $97,300 | $93,580 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Washington, D.C. | $96,410 | $47,760 | 820 | 1 | $144,670 | $144,670 |
| Mississippi | $93,850 | $88,110 | 160 | 2 | $97,250 | $94,300 |
| Maine | $93,400 | $107,270 | 70 | 1 | $103,400 | $103,400 |
| Iowa | $91,670 | $90,790 | 120 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Air Traffic Controllers salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $179,320 | $193,360 | $86.21 | 430 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $177,260 | $198,590 | $85.22 | 220 |
| Atlanta, GA | $176,190 | $186,640 | $84.71 | 810 |
| Chicago, IL | $174,320 | $189,780 | $83.81 | 850 |
| Sacramento, CA | $173,710 | $196,290 | $83.52 | 240 |
| Dallas, TX | $173,430 | $186,510 | $83.38 | 800 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $169,370 | $179,670 | $81.43 | 620 |
| Seattle, WA | $163,230 | $175,280 | $78.48 | 510 |
| Detroit, MI | $163,150 | $178,310 | $78.44 | 180 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $160,990 | $171,910 | $77.40 | 470 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $157,890 | $161,220 | $75.91 | 220 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $156,710 | $170,120 | $75.34 | 450 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $156,650 | $173,020 | $75.31 | 690 |
| Miami, FL | $154,760 | $162,140 | $74.40 | 720 |
| Kansas City, MO | $153,000 | $161,700 | $73.56 | 430 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $152,620 | $155,500 | $73.38 | 170 |
| Anchorage, AK | $152,540 | $160,970 | $73.34 | 280 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $151,280 | $161,640 | $72.73 | 330 |
| Tampa, FL | $146,150 | $150,700 | $70.26 | 110 |
| Orlando, FL | $145,830 | $147,800 | $70.11 | 170 |
| Nashville, TN | $145,560 | $155,540 | $69.98 | 60 |
| Washington, DC | $144,670 | $174,870 | $69.55 | 1,800 |
| Boston, MA | $140,590 | $135,720 | $67.59 | 100 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $139,870 | $146,520 | $67.25 | 130 |
| Hartford, CT | $139,290 | $134,700 | $66.97 | 70 |
| St. Louis, MO | $129,420 | $127,630 | $62.22 | 140 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $126,560 | $136,240 | $60.85 | 80 |
| San Juan, PR | $123,030 | $125,780 | $59.15 | 110 |
| Deltona, FL | $122,190 | $142,880 | $58.74 | 110 |
| Providence, RI | $119,990 | $126,300 | $57.69 | 50 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $115,560 | $119,230 | $55.56 | 90 |
| Burlington, VT | $109,830 | $109,140 | $52.80 | 30 |
| Fairbanks, AK | $109,690 | $103,230 | $52.74 | 80 |
| Portland, ME | $103,400 | $121,660 | $49.71 | 40 |
| Gulfport, MS | $97,250 | $99,800 | $46.75 | 50 |
| Riverside, CA | $96,750 | $94,140 | $46.52 | 140 |
| Jackson, MS | $94,300 | $91,710 | $45.34 | 30 |
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Air Traffic Controllers salary: questions
Where do air traffic controllers make the most money?
In San Francisco, CA, with an average of $179,320 a year, among the 37 metro areas we cover.
What is the average air traffic controllers salary in the U.S.?
$146,490 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $148,080, so half of air traffic controllers earn more than that and half less.
What salary should air traffic controllers ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of air traffic controllers nationwide earn between $104,520 (25th percentile) and $190,570 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays air traffic controllers the most?
Virginia, with a statewide average of $175,740 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is air traffic controllers pay the lowest?
Jackson, MS, at $94,300 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 53-2021.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.