How much does an Air Traffic Controller make?

The average salary for an Air Traffic Controller is $85,583 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 1414 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by an Air Traffic Controller employees in United States.

The highest salary for an Air Traffic Controller in United States is $114,998 per year.

The lowest salary for an Air Traffic Controller in United States is $64,187 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming an Air Traffic Controller or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of an Air Traffic Controller.

Air traffic controllers earn pay similar to airline pilots. They are typically required to be a United States (US) Citizen, pass a medical evaluation and a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pre-employment test, complete a training course through the FAA academy and take a biographic assessment regarding personality. Additionally, an associate’s degree or a bachelors’ degree is generally required. These requirements result in relatively high pay.

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Approximately 80% of employees are satisfied with their salary as an air traffic controller, according to Glassdoor data. In addition to base salary, controllers may earn an additional $6,136.86 per year, as well as benefits such as employer-paid training, medical insurance, and retirement plans.

According to Glassdoor data, the average air traffic controller salary is $79,445.77. New air traffic controllers usually start at the low end of the pay range, earning around $49,637.93. Pay increases should occur every few years as experience is gained, and additional increases may also occur if a master's degree or FAA Academy certification is completed. The maximum air traffic controller salary is around $149,612.39.

If you are already employed as an air traffic controller, you can take steps to improve your chances of earning more pay. As you gain more experience in the tower, you should move up within the air traffic controller career path, getting promoted from radar controller to arrival controller to supervisor. Education is also critical, and earning higher college degrees and certifications from the FAA Academy is advantageous. Your geographic location can make a big difference as the busiest airports in the country often pay the highest. Finally, overtime pay can be lucrative for air traffic controllers, with larger airports having the most extra hours available.

If you are starting your career as an air traffic controller, you may be able to demand a higher salary offer by understanding the job requirements and doing well in your job interview.

For those already in an air traffic controller role, perform an air traffic controller job search to review the job descriptions of your desired future position, and then be prepared to argue why you meet or exceed those requirements. Highlight any leadership tasks performed. Also, be prepared to talk about your performance metrics and safety record. If you are a top performer on the team, tell your employers exactly how much value you add.