Air Traffic Controllers pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,760 a year or less, while the top 10% make $225,680 or more. The middle half of air traffic controllers in Washington earn between $47,760 and $207,670.
- $48K10th
- $48K25th
- $175KMedian
- $208K75th
- $226K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $144,670 | $12,056 | $69.55 |
| Median | $174,870 | $14,572 | $84.07 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $47,760 | $3,980 | $22.96 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $207,670 | $17,306 | $99.84 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Air Traffic Controllers pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Air traffic controllers in Washington earn 50% more than the Washington, D.C. average ($96,410) and about the same as the U.S. average ($146,490). At the median the gap is +18% against the U.S. median of $148,080.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $144,670 | $174,870 | $47,760 | $225,680 | 1,800 |
| Washington, D.C. | $96,410 | $47,760 | $47,760 | $196,310 | 820 |
| United States | $146,490 | $148,080 | $78,420 | $215,610 | 22,510 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Air Traffic Controllers salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $144,670, a single filer in Washington takes home about $100,819 a year, or $8,402 a month and $3,878 every two weeks. Taxes take 30% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $104,411 | $8,701 |
| Working in MD | $103,344 | $8,612 |
| Working in VA | $102,644 | $8,554 |
| Working in DC | $100,819 | $8,402 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for air traffic controllers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $144,670 buys what about $132,866 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 4.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Air Traffic Controllers salary in nearby metro areas
- Philadelphia, PA$177,260
- Virginia Beach, VA$115,560
- Hartford, CT$139,290
- Cincinnati, OH$126,560
- Providence, RI$119,990
- Detroit, MI$163,150
Highest-paying cities for air traffic controllers
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($179,320).
- San Francisco, CA$179,320
- Philadelphia, PA$177,260
- Atlanta, GA$176,190
- Chicago, IL$174,320
- Sacramento, CA$173,710
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Air Traffic Controllers salary in Washington: questions
How much do air traffic controllers make an hour in Washington?
$69.55 an hour on average, and $84.07 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level air traffic controllers salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,760 a year and the 25th percentile is $47,760, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the air traffic controllers take-home pay in Washington?
About $100,819 a year ($8,402 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $144,670.
Do air traffic controllers earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as the U.S. average for this job ($146,490).
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; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.4%.
- 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.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 3.96, this job is 4.0 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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