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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIn the United States, the latest national benchmark available in 2026 is a median annual wage of $148,080 for air traffic controllers, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for May 2025. It is not a 2026 pay-table rate or a guaranteed salary for a new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hire. FAA controller pay depends on the applicable pay plan, job and career stage, location, and facility.
How much do air traffic controllers make?
The BLS reported a median annual wage of $148,080 in May 2025, the newest national wage observation available for this 2026 salary overview. A median is the midpoint: half of workers covered by the statistic earned more and half earned less. It is not the same as an arithmetic average, and it does not describe every employer or career stage. The BLS figure is a backward-looking occupational estimate, not a current FAA salary offer. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
The pay distribution was wide. In May 2025, the lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $78,420, while the highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $215,610. These are national occupational figures, not starting and maximum rates on an FAA pay scale. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
Do air traffic controllers make over $100,000?
Many earn above that amount: the May 2025 national median was $148,080. But the median does not mean every controller earns more than $100,000. The BLS reported that the lowest 10 percent earned less than $78,420, and actual pay varies by employer, career stage, and other factors. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
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How do federal and other industry wages compare?
BLS May 2025 median wages differed substantially by industry. These figures describe workers in each industry category; they are not guaranteed rates for an individual employer or job.
| Industry category | Median annual wage | What the figure represents |
|---|---|---|
| Federal government | $156,250 | BLS median for air traffic controllers in this industry category in May 2025. |
| Support activities for air transportation | $83,890 | BLS median for air traffic controllers in this industry category in May 2025. |
The industry medians are not a like-for-like FAA pay-scale comparison. The BLS occupational data and FAA compensation tables measure pay differently. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
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- PUSH-TO-TALK Experience ergonomic excellence with the Dispatch-15. Taking its design from a pistol grip. With your finger naturally resting on the trigger, a seamless push activates the microphone, allowing you to transmit your voice effortlessly. Releasing the trigger instantly mutes the call, giving you complete control at your fingertips.
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How much does an FAA air traffic controller make?
The FAA does not put air traffic controllers on the standard General Schedule (GS) pay system. Air Traffic Control Specialists and Traffic Management Coordinators and Specialists are covered by the agency’s Air Traffic Compensation Plan, which has separate pay tables for different roles. The FAA also notes that geographic location can affect compensation through locality pay and non-foreign cost-of-living allowances. FAA Pay & Benefits
There is no single FAA salary figure that can be inferred from the national BLS median. To estimate pay for a specific job, check its hiring announcement and the applicable FAA table for the role, pay level, and location. The FAA provides separate tables for air traffic, staff support, and management or supervisory positions. FAA Pay & Benefits
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An Office of Personnel Management (OPM) special salary rate table for 2026 includes occupation series 2152, Air Traffic Controller, and is effective on the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2026. Its notes limit eligibility to specified positions performing radar approach control duties and related qualifying functions. It is therefore not a general pay schedule for all controllers. OPM 2026 Special Rates, Table 0565
Why do pay figures vary by career stage and location?
Training and certification
BLS says development-controller salaries rise as trainees complete successive training levels. For controllers who complete on-the-job training, salary varies with facility location, flight-path complexity, and other factors. A trainee’s pay therefore should not be treated as the standard rate for a fully certified controller, or vice versa. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
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Certification timing also varies: the FAA says it can take a new hire more than two years to certify, depending on facility complexity. FAA 2026 controller workforce-plan announcement
Facility and geography
Pay can depend on the location and complexity of the facility, while the FAA says location may also determine eligibility for locality pay or non-foreign cost-of-living allowances. The applicable pay table and job announcement are more useful for an individual estimate than a nationwide median alone. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook FAA Pay & Benefits
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- COMPATABILITY: Our PTT Adapter includes a 2 prong (PJ327) type adapter specificaly for connection with consoles used for public safety dispatch, air-traffic control, radio dispatch operations, and training simulation. Direct Equivalent to Plantronics SHS1890 Adapter.
What do the 2026 hiring figures say—and what do they not say?
FAA workforce announcements provide staffing context, not a formula for individual salaries. The agency’s May 2026 plan announcement said about 11,000 certified professional controllers were deployed across more than 300 facilities as of April 2026, with about 4,000 people in the training pipeline. It set a target of 12,563 certified professional controllers. FAA 2026 controller workforce-plan announcement
On October 1, 2026, the FAA reported hiring 2,235 trainees in fiscal year 2026. It said the plan calls for at least 2,300 hires in FY2027 and 2,400 in FY2028. These are hiring targets and counts, not wage measures. FAA FY2026 trainee hiring update
For broader occupational context, BLS counted 24,000 air traffic controller jobs in 2025 and projected 2 percent employment growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 2,100 openings a year on average. Those projections concern employment, not future salary increases. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
How to read a salary figure responsibly
- Check the date and measure. The $148,080 figure is a May 2025 median, not a 2026 salary rate.
- Separate occupational estimates from pay tables. BLS figures summarize wage data; FAA tables apply to specific roles and pay arrangements.
- Match the career stage. Developmental pay can change as training progresses.
- Match the job and location. Facility, geography, and eligibility for applicable pay additions can affect compensation.
- Read special-rate eligibility notes. The OPM 2026 table is restricted to specified qualifying positions, not all controllers.
What qualifications are required to become an air traffic controller?
For readers considering the career, BLS lists several education and experience routes: an associate’s or bachelor’s degree through an FAA-approved Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program, progressively responsible work experience, or a combination of education and experience. Candidates must also meet citizenship, medical, background, and FAA testing requirements and complete Academy training. Requirements should be checked against the current FAA hiring announcement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
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