Air Traffic Controllers Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 53-2021As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for air traffic controllers in the United States is $148,080 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Pay ranges from $78,420 at the 10th percentile to $215,610 at the 90th percentile. In the UK, the equivalent occupation (Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers) has a median of £107,712 — figures are shown in local currency and are not converted. Heading for a US interview? Interview prep guides cover the standard question frameworks.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $78,420 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $104,520 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $148,080 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $190,570 | Experienced |
| 90th | $215,610 | Senior / highest decile |
Career Essentials
Role-specific interview prep for this occupation.
Check Price →Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $191,820 | $175,740 | 1,000 |
| Illinois | $181,560 | $164,200 | 990 |
| Georgia | $178,420 | $164,700 | 970 |
| Colorado | $177,380 | $158,790 | 740 |
| Minnesota | $176,840 | $162,920 | 680 |
| Texas | $170,080 | $156,370 | 2,000 |
| Washington | $162,570 | $154,320 | 620 |
| California | $160,080 | $156,910 | 2,000 |
| Kansas | $159,700 | $149,440 | 430 |
| Indiana | $158,810 | $145,010 | 630 |
| Hawaii | $158,700 | $151,040 | 210 |
| Utah | $158,310 | $147,710 | 360 |
| Tennessee | $157,330 | $149,020 | 590 |
| New Mexico | $148,550 | $140,280 | 350 |
| Florida | $147,530 | $144,140 | 2,000 |
| New York | $144,960 | $154,660 | 1,000 |
| Connecticut | $140,940 | $141,920 | — |
| Nevada | $140,920 | $143,990 | 210 |
| Arizona | $136,800 | $140,340 | 380 |
| Pennsylvania | $132,350 | $143,180 | 460 |
| New Jersey | $132,230 | $139,660 | 190 |
| Maryland | $131,290 | $136,220 | 70 |
| North Carolina | $129,230 | $136,490 | 410 |
| Kentucky | $127,800 | $121,910 | 230 |
| Rhode Island | $126,300 | $120,870 | 50 |
| Puerto Rico | $125,780 | $122,150 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $125,060 | $132,750 | 120 |
| Alaska | $123,950 | $130,420 | 490 |
| Oklahoma | $123,220 | $125,280 | 270 |
| Missouri | $122,200 | $125,950 | 260 |
| Michigan | $118,930 | $134,670 | 360 |
| Alabama | $114,960 | $117,540 | 240 |
| South Carolina | $112,030 | $110,990 | 190 |
| Nebraska | $111,710 | $113,210 | 70 |
| Arkansas | $109,760 | $108,570 | 80 |
| Vermont | $109,140 | $109,830 | 30 |
| North Dakota | $107,990 | $106,930 | 100 |
| Maine | $107,270 | $93,400 | 70 |
| Montana | $101,380 | $98,700 | 60 |
| Louisiana | $99,810 | $106,280 | 230 |
| Wyoming | $93,580 | $97,300 | 40 |
| Iowa | $90,790 | $91,670 | 120 |
| Mississippi | $88,110 | $93,850 | 160 |
| Guam | $82,830 | $95,420 | 40 |
| District of Columbia | $47,760 | $96,410 | 820 |
Recommended Gear & Prep
Many people pair this data with a salary negotiation guide before accepting an offer.
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Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · ONS ASHE Table 14/15, 2025 provisional · Page built 2026-07-18