Air Traffic Controller.
Spokane.
$113,000
median salary, 12% below the national average
$81,000 to $152,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Air Traffic Controller salary in Spokane is $113,000, 12% below the national average. Entry level starts near $81,000. Experienced professionals push past $152,000. Spokane is eastern Washington's largest city with a healthcare-driven economy and growing remote work population. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $102,000. 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)
$96,000
to $119,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$124,000
to $147,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$141,000
to $175,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $22,000 to the total package.
Base
$113,000
Equity
$12,000
Bonus
$8,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $135,000
How Spokane compares
Spokane, WA
$113,000
Cost of living: 8% below average
National Average
$128,000
Spokane is $15,000 below
Air Traffic Controller salary by city
Salary by role in Spokane
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Air Traffic Controller roles in Spokane, here is what you are walking into. Spokane is eastern Washington's largest city with a healthcare-driven economy and growing remote work population. The city offers Washington's no income tax benefit at significantly lower cost of living than Seattle. Healthcare systems are the largest employers, with tech growing through remote work migration. 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 Spokane, 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: washington has no state income tax. Spokane has no city income tax. The zero tax environment at a fraction of Seattle's cost of living creates one of the best purchasing power ratios in the Pacific Northwest. When someone quotes you $113,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate Seattle-area remote salaries while living in Spokane. Many Washington employers offer location-agnostic pay, and the zero income tax plus low housing costs create exceptional value. The range for Air Traffic Controllers in Spokane runs from $81,000 to $152,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Frontend Developer in Spokane earns $112,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Spokane is Distinguished Engineer at $294,000
Common questions.
Air Traffic Controller salary in other cities
Other salaries in Spokane
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