Air traffic controller pay varies widely by state. In the latest available estimates, covering May 2025, Virginia had the highest displayed state median annual wage at $191,820, while Mississippi had the lowest at $88,110. Separately, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a national mean annual wage of $146,490. These are different measures, so the national mean should not be treated as the midpoint of the state medians.
Air traffic controller pay by state
The figures below are May 2025 median wages, reproduced from a table that attributes its data to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). The table includes states with published estimates, plus three jurisdictions; it does not provide a figure for every state. Hourly equivalents are shown alongside annual wages.
| State or jurisdiction | Median annual wage | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $191,820 | $92.22 |
| Illinois | $181,560 | $87.29 |
| Georgia | $178,420 | $85.78 |
| Colorado | $177,380 | $85.28 |
| Minnesota | $176,840 | $85.02 |
| Texas | $170,080 | $81.77 |
| Washington | $162,570 | $78.16 |
| California | $160,080 | $76.96 |
| Kansas | $159,700 | $76.78 |
| Indiana | $158,810 | $76.35 |
| Hawaii | $158,700 | $76.30 |
| Utah | $158,310 | $76.11 |
| Tennessee | $157,330 | $75.64 |
| New Mexico | $148,550 | $71.42 |
| Florida | $147,530 | $70.93 |
| New York | $144,960 | $69.69 |
| Connecticut | $140,940 | $67.76 |
| Nevada | $140,920 | $67.75 |
| Arizona | $136,800 | $65.77 |
| Pennsylvania | $132,350 | $63.63 |
| New Jersey | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Maryland | $131,290 | $63.12 |
| North Carolina | $129,230 | $62.13 |
| Kentucky | $127,800 | $61.44 |
| Rhode Island | $126,300 | $60.72 |
| Massachusetts | $125,060 | $60.13 |
| Alaska | $123,950 | $59.59 |
| Oklahoma | $123,220 | $59.24 |
| Missouri | $122,200 | $58.75 |
| Michigan | $118,930 | $57.18 |
| Alabama | $114,960 | $55.27 |
| South Carolina | $112,030 | $53.86 |
| Nebraska | $111,710 | $53.71 |
| Arkansas | $109,760 | $52.77 |
| Vermont | $109,140 | $52.47 |
| North Dakota | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Maine | $107,270 | $51.57 |
| Montana | $101,380 | $48.74 |
| Louisiana | $99,810 | $47.99 |
| Wyoming | $93,580 | $44.99 |
| Iowa | $90,790 | $43.65 |
| Mississippi | $88,110 | $42.36 |
| Puerto Rico | $125,780 | $60.47 |
| Guam | $82,830 | $39.82 |
| District of Columbia | $47,760 | $22.96 |
CitySalaryData’s air traffic controller wage table identifies these as BLS OEWS May 2025 data. The table is ordered by median annual wage, not by affordability, job quality, or take-home pay.
What the national wage figure means
The BLS reported a national mean annual wage of $146,490 for air traffic controllers in May 2025, based on 22,510 estimated jobs; the corresponding national mean hourly wage was $70.43. This national mean is not directly comparable to a state median. A mean is calculated by dividing the total wages in the group by the number of workers, while a median is the midpoint of the wage distribution.
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The BLS says annual wage estimates are calculated by multiplying hourly mean wages by 2,080 hours when an hourly mean is available. That annualized figure describes a year-round, full-time schedule for statistical purposes; it is not a guarantee of an individual controller’s annual earnings. See the BLS May 2025 national OEWS table for the national estimates and methodology.
Why pay differs—and what these figures leave out
State wage estimates can reflect the mix of jobs and facilities in a state, workers’ experience, employer mix, and location. The table alone does not establish which factor explains a particular state’s position or whether a higher wage goes further after housing, taxes, or other costs.
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These survey estimates are not individual job offers. The figures do not state what a particular employee receives in overtime, premium pay, locality adjustments, or benefits. Use them as a broad wage comparison for the May 2025 reference period, not as a current offer or a prediction of take-home pay.
States without a displayed wage estimate
The reproduced table does not list Delaware, Idaho, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. BLS notes that “Not published” indicates a suppressed estimate. A missing row should not be read as zero wages or proof that a state has no air traffic controllers. The BLS May 2025 state occupational estimates page links to state tables and downloads for checking available estimates.
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What air traffic controllers do
Air traffic controllers direct aircraft at and near airports and between altitude sectors and control centers, following established procedures and policies. The BLS classifies the occupation as SOC 53-2021; its occupation profile describes the work and classification.
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