Air Traffic Controller.
Detroit.
$112,000
median salary, 12% below the national average
$80,000 to $150,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
An Air Traffic Controller in Detroit earns a median of $112,000 in 2026. That is 12% below the national average. The range runs from $80,000 to $150,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Facility level is the dominant factor, with controllers at high-traffic terminals and en-route centers earning significantly more than those at smaller towers. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page.
Salary range.
Where do you fall?
Orbyt estimate for Air Traffic Controller in Detroit, modelled from national occupation wages adjusted for local cost of living. The published government benchmark for this occupation is below.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $178,310 for Air Traffic Controllers (SOC 53-2021) in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metropolitan area, based on 180 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$100,210
25th percentile
$119,240
Median
$178,310
75th percentile
$196,810
90th percentile
$214,340
Workers surveyed
180
Why this differs from the estimate above. The Orbyt estimate of $112,000 is 37% lower than this published figure. That is usually not an error in either number: BLS reports by occupation code, and Air Traffic Controllers covers a different population than the Air Traffic Controller title as it is typically advertised. Both are shown, unreconciled, so you can judge which one describes the job you mean.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Air Traffic Controllers (SOC 53-2021) rather than Air Traffic Controller specifically. The Detroitrange at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 53-2021Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $101,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$73,000
to $90,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$95,000
to $118,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$123,000
to $146,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$140,000
to $174,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $22,000 to the total package.
Base
$112,000
Equity
$12,000
Bonus
$8,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $134,000
How Detroit compares.
Detroit, MI
$112,000
Cost of living: 10% below average
National Average
$128,000
Detroit is $16,000 below
Air Traffic Controller salary by city.
Salary by role in Detroit.
What you should know.
The Air Traffic Controller landscape in Detroit is not what most salary sites will tell you. Detroit's economy is transforming as the automotive industry pivots to electric vehicles and autonomous driving technology. Ford, GM, and a growing cluster of mobility startups are investing billions in the region. The city's low cost of living paired with rising tech salaries makes it one of the highest purchasing power metros for engineering roles. Facility level is the dominant factor, with controllers at high-traffic terminals and en-route centers earning significantly more than those at smaller towers. Geographic locality pay adjustments and overtime availability also create meaningful variance across positions.
Trainees at the FAA Academy earn $40,000 to $55,000. Certified professional controllers at lower-level facilities make $92,000 to $110,000. Moving to a high-level facility pushes pay to $140,000 to $172,000, with supervisory roles reaching $180,000 or more. In Detroit, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Federal controllers receive FERS retirement, Thrift Savings Plan matching up to 5%, and locality-adjusted pay. Premium pay for night shifts, holidays, and overtime can add 10 to 25% above base salary. And on the tax side: michigan has a flat 4.25% state income tax. Detroit adds a city income tax of 2.4% for residents. Factor the city tax into your calculations if living within city limits. When someone quotes you $112,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight EV and autonomous vehicle expertise. Detroit employers are paying significant premiums for talent with electric vehicle, battery tech, or self driving experience. The range for Air Traffic Controllers in Detroit runs from $80,000 to $150,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: BLS OES, H-1B LCA (DOL). COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified July 1, 2026. Full methodology
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Common questions.
Air Traffic Controller salary in other cities.
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