Air Traffic Controller.
Miami.
$139,000
median salary, 9% above the national average
$100,000 to $187,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Orbyt estimates Air Traffic Controller pay in Miami at $139,000, within a range of $100,000 to $187,000. That is 9% above the national average. Miami has rapidly evolved from a tourism and real estate center into a legitimate tech and finance hub. 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 Miami, 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 $162,140 for Air Traffic Controllers (SOC 53-2021) in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metropolitan area, based on 720 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$90,260
25th percentile
$117,440
Median
$162,140
75th percentile
$190,030
90th percentile
$205,230
Workers surveyed
720
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 Miamirange 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 $125,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$90,000
to $111,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$118,000
to $146,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$153,000
to $181,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$174,000
to $215,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $28,000 to the total package.
Base
$139,000
Equity
$15,000
Bonus
$10,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $167,000
How Miami compares.
Miami, FL
$139,000
Cost of living: 12% above average
National Average
$128,000
Miami is $11,000 above
Air Traffic Controller salary by city.
Salary by role in Miami.
What you should know.
If you are interviewing for Air Traffic Controller roles in Miami, here is what you are walking into. Miami has rapidly evolved from a tourism and real estate center into a legitimate tech and finance hub. The city's crypto, fintech, and Latin American trade connections have drawn significant venture investment. Cost of living has surged recently, but the absence of state income tax keeps take home pay competitive with larger metros. 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 Miami, 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: florida has no state income tax, which is a major draw for high earners. Overall tax burden is low, though property insurance costs and rising housing prices offset some savings. When someone quotes you $139,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Use the no income tax benefit to frame your ask. Show employers that accepting 90 to 95% of a New York salary in Miami yields equivalent or better take home pay. The range for Air Traffic Controllers in Miami runs from $100,000 to $187,000. 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
Considering a related role?
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Common questions.
Air Traffic Controller salary in other cities.
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