Air Traffic Controllers Salary Trend (2011–2024)
Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Salary in 2024
$144,580
↑ 27.3% since 2011
Median Salary Over Time
Air Traffic Controllers — Median Annual Salary
Employment Over Time
Air Traffic Controllers — Total Employment
Key Insights
📈Salaries grew 27.3% since 2011 ($113,540 → $144,580)
🏆Peak year: 2024 at $144,580
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 6.0% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately -13%
Year-by-Year Salary Data
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $144,580 | +5.2% |
| 2023 | $137,380 | +3.9% |
| 2022 | $132,250 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $129,750 | -0.5% |
| 2020 | $130,420 | +6.0% |
| 2019 | $122,990 | -1.2% |
| 2018 | $124,540 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | $124,540 | +1.7% |
| 2016 | $122,410 | -0.4% |
| 2015 | $122,950 | +0.5% |
| 2014 | $122,340 | +0.9% |
| 2013 | $121,280 | -1.0% |
| 2012 | $122,530 | +7.9% |
| 2011 | $113,540 | — |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.