How much does an air traffic controllers make?

The median air traffic controllers salary in the United States is $148,080 per year ($71.19/hour). Salaries range from $78,420 (10th percentile) to $215,610 (90th percentile). There are 22,510 air traffic controllers jobs in the U.S. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.

Which state pays air traffic controllerss the most?

The highest paying state for air traffic controllerss is Virginia at $191,820 median salary.

Is air traffic controllers a good career?

Air Traffic Controllers employment is projected to grow 1.2% from 2024 to 2034 (slower than average). There are approximately 2,200 job openings per year. Typical education required: Associate's degree.

What interview questions are asked for air traffic controllers roles?

Common air traffic controllers interview questions include: "Walk me through your day at a busy TRACON.", "How do you handle an emergency (fuel + weather + medical)?", "Describe your separation techniques.". Interview format at top employers ranges from behavioral panels (STAR method) to technical case rounds — for example FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) typically uses 4-6 phases.

What is the career ladder for air traffic controllerss?

The typical air traffic controllers career ladder: Academy Trainee (0-1 yrs, $22-32k during academy) → Developmental Controller (Dev 1 → 4) (1-4 yrs, $85-135k progressing) → Certified Professional Controller (CPC) (4-15 yrs, $140-215k + differentials) → Senior Controller / Supervisor / Manager (15+ yrs, $185-260k+ (top facilities $250k+)).

What certifications should air traffic controllerss get?

Top-ROI certifications for air traffic controllerss: FAA Academy certification (Free (paid training)); Position/sector certifications (facility-specific) (Free (paid training)); OJTI (On-the-Job Training Instructor) (Free (facility-provided)).

How do you negotiate a air traffic controllers salary?

Anchor on documented market data (BLS median $148,080, p75 $190,570), specific outcomes you've delivered, and the specific band for your years of experience. FAA scale is fixed, so I'm focused on facility placement + fleet + shift preference. Could we confirm placement at Level 8+ TRACON + specific base + shift preference + OJTI opportunity within 24 months?...

Air Traffic Controllers Salary

The median air traffic controllers salary in the United States is $148,080 per year ($71.19/hour). Salaries range from $78,420 at the entry level to $215,610+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 22,510 air traffic controllers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 1.2% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asAir Traffic ControllerATC

Median Salary

$148,080

per year

Hourly Rate

$71.19

per hour

Employment

22,510

jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile

$78,420

25th percentile

$104,520

Median

$148,080

75th percentile

$190,570

90th percentile

$215,610

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+1.2%

Slower than average

Annual Openings

2,200

jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

Associate's degree

Training Needed

Long-term on-the-job training

Air Traffic Controllers Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for air traffic controllerss.

Air traffic controllers manage flight operations from towers + TRACONs + Centers preventing collisions and expediting traffic. Entry academy $65-85k; developmental (Devs) $85-135k; Certified Professional Controllers (CPCs) $140-215k+; senior + high-level facilities $185-260k+. FAA employer for most. Excellent pension + retirement at 56 mandatory. Massive controller shortage = ongoing hiring. Extremely high-stress role but stable career + pay.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Radar + non-radar separation

Maintain safe separation (5 nm/1000ft standard) + apply rules + monitor scope + intervene.

Voice communication + radiotelephony

Standard phraseology + brevity + clarity + rapid delivery + multiple frequencies simultaneously.

Traffic sequencing + spacing

Departure + arrival + enroute + IFR + VFR mix + weather + runway + gate operations.

Emergency + abnormal procedures

Emergencies + weather + IROPs + coordination with adjacent facilities + flight service + military.

Situational awareness + memory

Multiple aircraft + intentions + capabilities + weather + traffic patterns. Continuous scan + prediction.

FAA regulations + LOAs

FAA orders + Letter of Agreement + facility SOPs + coordination protocols + air traffic control handbook.

Stress management + fatigue

Handle high-workload periods + shift work + rotating schedules + physical + mental health.

How to Become a Air Traffic Controllers

1
Apply via FAA bid/USAJobs
Open bid periods every 1-3 years. Requires U.S. citizen + age under 31 (with limited exceptions) + English proficiency.
2
Pass AT-SA cognitive assessment
Multi-hour cognitive + spatial + memory + prioritization test. Very competitive.
3
Attend FAA Academy (Oklahoma City)
4-5 month training at academy + salary $22-25k during. Pass with certification for facility assignment.
4
Complete developmental training at facility
2-4 years at first facility + Level 1-3 developmental + progressive certification. Salary $85-135k progressing.
5
Achieve CPC + specialty + advancement
Certified Professional Controller status + higher-level facility bidding + specialty (RDU + Center).

Career Progression

Academy Trainee

0-1 yrs$22-32k during academy

•Learn ATC fundamentals
•Pass academy performance evaluations
•Complete certification
•Selected for facility assignment

Next: Developmental at first facility.

Developmental Controller (Dev 1 → 4)

1-4 yrs$85-135k progressing

•Learn facility-specific operations
•Progressive control certifications
•Sector + position qualifications
•Continue training

Next: Certified Professional Controller at 3-5 years.

Certified Professional Controller (CPC)

4-15 yrs$140-215k + differentials

•Fully certified on facility positions
•OJT instructor for developmentals
•Union representative + committees
•Bid for higher-level facilities

Next: Senior Controller + Supervisor + Instructor at 15+ years.

Senior Controller / Supervisor / Manager

15+ yrs$185-260k+ (top facilities $250k+)

•Team supervision + traffic management
•Training + evaluation
•Coordination + specialty
•Regional + HQ paths

Next: Facility manager + FAA HQ + retirement at 56.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through your day at a busy TRACON.technical

Sector assignment + handoff + traffic scan + sequencing + weather + coordination + emergency preparation + shift ends.

Q2. How do you handle an emergency (fuel + weather + medical)?situational

Prioritize handling + declare + coordinate + expedite + rest of traffic + document + follow FAA protocols.

Q3. Describe your separation techniques.technical

Standard 5nm/1000ft + wake turbulence + visual + specific procedures + apply rules consistently.

Q4. Tell me about handling a difficult day.behavioral

STAR: high workload + specific approach + teamwork + outcome.

Q5. Where do you see career in 5 years?closer

CPC + higher-level facility (large TRACON/Center) + potentially OJTI + supervisor path.

Resume Template — Developmental Controller (0-4 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Developmental Controller (0-4 yrs)

▸Completed FAA Academy + passed initial radar sim + placed at Level 8 TRACON.
▸Certified on 3 sectors within 24 months at Level 8 TRACON serving 1,800 daily operations.
▸Zero operational errors + zero pilot deviations resulting in loss of separation over 18 months.
▸Passed all quarterly proficiency checks + on track for CPC certification.

What Gets You Rejected

✗Weak cognitive + spatial abilities.
✗Cant handle stress.
✗Poor communication.
✗Health/vision/hearing issues.
✗Age concerns (usually under 31 for new hires).
✗Weak background/security.

Salary Negotiation Levers

✓FAA salary scale (federal) — limited base negotiation but locality + facility level matter.
✓Higher-level facilities (Level 8-12) pay significantly more.
✓Overtime + shift differential + night pay = 15-25% additional.
✓OJTI stipend (On-the-Job Training Instructor) $8-15k premium.
✓PSLF + federal pension + healthcare = major long-term compensation.
✓Mandatory retirement at 56 with pension typically 34-40% of high-3 salary.
✓Locality pay: DC + NYC + LA + SF significantly higher.

Air Traffic Controllers Resume Review — $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired air traffic controllerss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

✓ Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
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✓ Missing skills / keywords flagged
✓ Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
✓ 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it

Air Traffic Controllers Career Kit — $19

✓ All 13 interview questions with expert answers
✓ 6 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
✓ Interview format intel for 5 top employers
✓ 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
✓ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
✓ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
✓ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
✓ Detailed salary negotiation script
✓ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
✓ Downloadable PDF for offline access
✓ Instant access, no expiration, no subscription

✓ 7-day money-back guarantee — no questions asked

One-time purchase. 7-day refund guarantee.

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Air Traffic Controllers Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →

Salary Map — Click a state for details

$48K

$192K■ No data

Top Paying States

Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.

State	Median	vs. National	Employment
Virginia	$191,820	+29.5%	1,120
Illinois	$181,560	+22.6%	990
Georgia	$178,420	+20.5%	970
Colorado	$177,380	+19.8%	740
Minnesota	$176,840	+19.4%	680
Texas	$170,080	+14.9%	2,060
Washington	$162,570	+9.8%	620
California	$160,080	+8.1%	2,290
Kansas	$159,700	+7.8%	430
Indiana	$158,810	+7.2%	630

Showing 1–10 of 43

Air Traffic Controllers Salary by Metro Area

Metro Area	Median	vs. National
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$198,590	+34.1%
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$196,290	+32.6%
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$193,360	+30.6%
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$189,780	+28.2%
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$186,640	+26.0%
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$186,510	+26.0%
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$179,670	+21.3%
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$178,310	+20.4%
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$175,280	+18.4%
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$174,870	+18.1%

Showing 1–10 of 39

Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.

How does this compare to pro athletes?

A air traffic controllers earning $148,080/year would need 403 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 432 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.

See all sports & celebrity salaries →

📈 See how air traffic controllers salaries have changed over the past decade.

View Air Traffic Controllers salary trend (2011–2024) →