Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers Salary — UK & US Data (2025)
ONS ASHE 2025 (provisional) · BLS OES May 2025As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
UK Salary Overview
The median salary for a aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers in the UK is £107,712 per year (gross, before tax), based on ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings data for 2025 (provisional). There are approximately 20,000 jobs in this occupation across the UK. If you're heading into a pay review or a new offer, a good salary negotiation guide can help you land nearer the top of these ranges.
UK Salary Percentiles
Where you land in these bands is partly negotiable — many people use interview preparation books to push toward the upper percentiles.
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | £55,377 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | £79,074 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | £107,712 | Typical pay |
Career Essentials
Role-specific interview prep for this occupation.
Check Price →UK Regional Breakdown
| Region | Median salary | vs national |
|---|---|---|
| London | £123,796 | +14.9% |
| Scotland | £83,364 | -22.6% |
| North East | £72,472 | -32.7% |
Regions without published data for this occupation are omitted (ONS suppresses small samples).
US Salary Overview
In the United States, the equivalent occupation (Air Traffic Controllers, SOC 53-2021) has a national median wage of $148,080 per year according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 23,000 people are employed in this occupation in the US. Figures are shown in local currency and are not converted.
US Top States by Median Salary
| State | Median salary | Mean salary |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $191,820 | $175,740 |
| Illinois | $181,560 | $164,200 |
| Georgia | $178,420 | $164,700 |
| Colorado | $177,380 | $158,790 |
| Minnesota | $176,840 | $162,920 |
| Texas | $170,080 | $156,370 |
| Washington | $162,570 | $154,320 |
| California | $160,080 | $156,910 |
| Kansas | $159,700 | $149,440 |
| Indiana | $158,810 | $145,010 |
See the full US state-by-state breakdown for aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers →
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Work out what this salary means after tax with our take-home pay calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers in the UK?
The UK median is £107,712 per year (gross, before tax), based on ONS ASHE 2025 (provisional) data. The mean is £130,560.
How does the US salary compare?
The equivalent US occupation (Air Traffic Controllers) has a national median of $148,080 per year (BLS OES May 2025). Figures are in local currency and not converted.
Data: ONS ASHE Table 14/15, 2025 provisional · BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-07-18