Air Traffic Controller Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$128,000
national median salary
$92,000 to $172,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $148,080 for Air Traffic Controllers (SOC 53-2021) across the United States, based on 22,510 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$78,420
25th percentile
$104,520
Median
$148,080
75th percentile
$190,570
90th percentile
$215,610
Workers surveyed
22,510
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$144,580
May 2025 release
$148,080
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
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 Controllerspecifically. The national range 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 53-2021Highest Paying
$173,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$133,000
Jersey City, NJ
Lowest Paying
$102,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 53-2021. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Air Traffic Controller salary in the United States at $128,000 in 2026, within a range of $92,000 to $172,000. 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. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $173,000, while Jersey City offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Facility level is the dominant factor, with controllers at high-traffic terminals and en-route centers earning significantly more than those at smaller towers.
Air Traffic Controller salary by city.
Skills that increase Air Traffic Controller pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Air Traffic Controllers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $17,920 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$17,920 per year
≈ +$16,640 per year
≈ +$15,360 per year
≈ +$14,080 per year
≈ +$14,080 per year
≈ +$12,800 per year
≈ +$12,800 per year
≈ +$11,520 per year
What you should know.
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.
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.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Air Traffic Controllers typically earn $115,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Air Traffic Controller pay.
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