Air Traffic Controllers Salary by State
The national median pay for air traffic controllers is $148,080 a year. By state, it ranges from $47,760 in District of Columbia to $191,820 in Virginia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $78,420
- 25th percentile
- $104,520
- Median
- $148,080
- 75th percentile
- $190,570
- Top 10%
- $215,610
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 22,510 jobs.
Median pay in 42 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | $191,820 | +30% | $94,330 | $225,680 | 1,120 |
| 2 | Illinois | $181,560 | +23% | $83,990 | $225,680 | 990 |
| 3 | Georgia | $178,420 | +20% | $90,940 | $217,590 | 970 |
| 4 | Colorado | $177,380 | +20% | $76,310 | $213,950 | 740 |
| 5 | Minnesota | $176,840 | +19% | $88,940 | $218,190 | 680 |
| 6 | Texas | $170,080 | +15% | $90,420 | $222,230 | 2,060 |
| 7 | Washington | $162,570 | +10% | $91,600 | $209,270 | 620 |
| 8 | California | $160,080 | +8% | $80,960 | $225,680 | 2,290 |
| 9 | Kansas | $159,700 | +8% | $82,060 | $199,160 | 430 |
| 10 | Indiana | $158,810 | +7% | $81,000 | $200,640 | 630 |
| 11 | Hawaii | $158,700 | +7% | $92,580 | $205,000 | 210 |
| 12 | Utah | $158,310 | +7% | $75,360 | $186,180 | 360 |
| 13 | Tennessee | $157,330 | +6% | $98,300 | $198,790 | 590 |
| 14 | New Mexico | $148,550 | 0% | $77,400 | $187,790 | 350 |
| 15 | Florida | $147,530 | 0% | $86,660 | $195,960 | 1,950 |
| 16 | New York | $144,960 | −2% | $74,320 | $225,680 | 1,150 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $140,940 | −5% | $95,180 | $175,090 | Not published |
| 18 | Nevada | $140,920 | −5% | $80,600 | $200,160 | 210 |
| 19 | Arizona | $136,800 | −8% | $86,630 | $195,980 | 380 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $132,350 | −11% | $81,490 | $225,680 | 460 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $132,230 | −11% | $88,460 | $209,730 | 190 |
| 22 | Maryland | $131,290 | −11% | $96,600 | $169,920 | 70 |
| 23 | North Carolina | $129,230 | −13% | $88,690 | $191,530 | 410 |
| 24 | Kentucky | $127,800 | −14% | $66,150 | $168,650 | 230 |
| 25 | Rhode Island | $126,300 | −15% | $61,710 | $150,180 | 50 |
| 26 | Massachusetts | $125,060 | −16% | $82,150 | $202,070 | 120 |
| 27 | Alaska | $123,950 | −16% | $66,800 | $191,690 | 490 |
| 28 | Oklahoma | $123,220 | −17% | $78,340 | $169,980 | 270 |
| 29 | Missouri | $122,200 | −17% | $90,940 | $166,610 | 260 |
| 30 | Michigan | $118,930 | −20% | $80,430 | $205,380 | 360 |
| 31 | Alabama | $114,960 | −22% | $79,420 | $159,640 | 240 |
| 32 | South Carolina | $112,030 | −24% | $71,680 | $142,830 | 190 |
| 33 | Nebraska | $111,710 | −25% | $83,030 | $147,990 | 70 |
| 34 | Arkansas | $109,760 | −26% | $76,360 | $134,430 | 80 |
| 35 | Vermont | $109,140 | −26% | $90,500 | $139,810 | 30 |
| 36 | North Dakota | $107,990 | −27% | $58,470 | $147,410 | 100 |
| 37 | Maine | $107,270 | −28% | $46,550 | $135,910 | 70 |
| 38 | Montana | $101,380 | −32% | $75,130 | $127,980 | 60 |
| 39 | Louisiana | $99,810 | −33% | $75,130 | $149,700 | 230 |
| 40 | Wyoming | $93,580 | −37% | $75,130 | $132,000 | 40 |
| 41 | Iowa | $90,790 | −39% | $54,930 | $121,720 | 120 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $88,110 | −40% | $64,380 | $127,170 | 160 |
| 43 | District of Columbia | $47,760 | −68% | $47,760 | $196,310 | 820 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Air Traffic Controllers salary questions
Which state pays air traffic controllers the most?
Virginia, with a median of $191,820 a year (+30% vs. the national median of $148,080). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays air traffic controllers the least?
District of Columbia, with a median of $47,760 a year (−68% vs. national).
Where do most air traffic controllers work?
California has the most jobs, about 2,290, with a median of $160,080.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.