Air Traffic Controller

Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living. Avg Entry (P10) $86469 Avg Median $160128 Avg Senior (P90) $253003 Coverage 288 U.S. cities Key Findings What the data reveals 1 National median Air Traffic Controller salary: $160,128 (2026) 2 Entry (P10): $86,469 → Senior (P90): $253,003 — a $166,534 career spread 3 Highest-paying city: Sunnyvale, California at $292,560 4 Top-paying state: California with $193,856 average across 61 cities 5 $178,020 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities 6 Coverage: 288 U.S. cities across 46 states — sourced from BLS OEWS data Overview Air Traffic Controller salary landscape in 2026 How much should a Air Traffic Controller expect to earn? If you're going by the national average of $160,128, you're missing the plot. The real answer depends on where you work, how long you've been at it, and what the local market can bear. Across 288 tracked cities, we found a $166,534 range from entry to senior-level pay — and a geographic spread that's equally dramatic. A career as a Air Traffic Controller sits at the intersection of Transportation and Transportation & Logistics. Most professionals enter with FAA training program, and the field is characterized by steady. The work itself is tower shift-based. Understanding that context matters: it explains why certain markets pay premiums and others lag. $178,020 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Air Traffic Controller in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $292,560 — $178,020 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($114,540). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. Cost-adjusted, this occupation outearns its reputation. Salary Breakdown Entry, median, and senior pay The three-tier salary picture for Air Traffic Controllers in 2026: $86,469 at entry (P10), $160,128 at midpoint, and $253,003 at the senior end (P90). Compare this to adjacent occupations, and the value of this career becomes clearer. The $166,534 range from bottom to top isn't just experience — it's geography, specialization, and industry mixed together. The median itself lands $79,761 above the national median household income of $80,367. Compare the extremes: the highest-paying trio of cities (Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Irvine) averages $273,240, while the lowest-paying trio (Toledo, Detroit, Akron) averages $115,460. The $157,780 difference is the kind of number that reshapes career strategy — assuming the cost of living cooperates. Geographic Premium

• 178,020 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities A Air Traffic Controller in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $292,560 — $178,020 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($114,540). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
• 166,534 gap between entry and senior pay The national average entry-level (P10) salary for Air Traffic Controller is $86,469, while senior-level (P90) earners average $253,003. That $166,534 trajectory represents the earning growth a career in this field can deliver.

California leads states with $193,856 median California pays the highest average median salary for Air Traffic Controllers at $193,856 across 61 tracked cities. The gap between #1 and #5 (New Jersey at $170,430) is $23,426. At the 90th percentile, Air Traffic Controllers pull in an average of $253,003. In the top-paying markets, that figure climbs even higher — making this one of the more lucrative career trajectories in its field. Where Air Traffic Controller pay goes furthest At the state level, California leads with an average Air Traffic Controller median of $193,856 across 61 cities, followed by Massachusetts ($187,335) and Hawaii ($186,300). Contrast that with the lowest-paying markets: The lowest-paying states — Mississippi, Ohio, Iowa — offer medians between $115,920 and $121,440. But state averages mask city-level variation that's often just as large. When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Sunnyvale ($292,560 nominal, 212 cost index) delivers $138,000 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move. Purchasing Power Cost-adjusted Air Traffic Controller salary rankings Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most. From a career planning perspective, Air Traffic Controller offers a $166,534 earning range. The 2.9× multiplier from entry to senior makes this a field where longevity pays off. The typical entry requires FAA training program. Day-to-day, expect tower shift-based work environments. With data from 288 cities, the geographic flexibility is substantial — this career travels well. Frequently Asked Questions Air Traffic Controller salary FAQ What is the average Air Traffic Controller salary in 2026? The weighted national median salary for Air Traffic Controllers is $160,128 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $86,469, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $253,003. Where do Air Traffic Controllers get paid the most? The highest-paying city for Air Traffic Controllers is Sunnyvale, California with a median salary of $292,560. The top 3 cities are Sunnyvale ($292,560), Santa Clara ($273,240), Irvine ($253,920). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power. Where is the lowest Air Traffic Controller salary? The lowest median Air Traffic Controller salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $114,540. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living. How much does an entry-level Air Traffic Controller make? Entry-level Air Traffic Controllers (10th percentile) average $86,469 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $157,982. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary. How much can a senior Air Traffic Controller earn? At the 90th percentile (senior level), Air Traffic Controllers average $253,003 nationally — $166,534 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Air Traffic Controllers can earn up to $462,245. Which states pay Air Traffic Controllers the most? The top-paying states for Air Traffic Controllers are California ($193,856 median), Massachusetts ($187,335 median), Hawaii ($186,300 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally. What education do you need to become a Air Traffic Controller? The typical education path for a Air Traffic Controller involves FAA training program. The field is in the Transportation & Logistics sector (Transportation), and the career outlook is steady. Work style is typically tower shift-based. Is Air Traffic Controller a good career for 2026? With a national median of $160,128 and representation across 288 metro areas, Air Traffic Controller offers above-average earning potential compared to national household income. The $166,534 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: steady. Where does this salary data come from? All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities. Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation. State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available. #J-18808-Ljbffr Liv ably