how much does air traffic controllers make

June 27, 2026

Air traffic controllers in the U.S. typically make around $90,000–$145,000 per year , with many experienced controllers at busy facilities crossing $150,000 and the highest earners going above $200,000 including differentials and premiums. Pay varies a lot by experience, location, and whether the job is federal (FAA) or in a lower‑traffic facility.

Typical pay range

Average base salary estimates cluster around $90,000–$100,000 a year for air traffic controllers overall in the U.S.

Some newer estimates using federal wage data cite a median around $140,000+ for federal controllers, with the top 10% earning over $200,000.

Entry‑level or trainee roles can start closer to $45,000–$60,000 , then ramp up sharply after full certification.

By experience level

Entry level / in training : Often in the $45,000–$75,000 band, depending on facility, training status, and overtime.

Fully certified, mid‑career : Commonly around $90,000–$140,000 , especially in medium to high traffic facilities.

Senior / busy hubs : Can reach $150,000–$200,000+ with night, weekend, and holiday differentials plus overtime.

Factors that change the salary

Facility type and traffic level : Major en‑route centers and large airports pay significantly more than smaller regional towers.

Geographic location : High‑cost or high‑traffic states (e.g., Georgia, Texas, California, New Hampshire) often report averages well above $130,000.

Shifts and differentials : Night, weekend, and holiday shifts plus overtime and premiums can add a substantial amount on top of base pay.

Quick HTML table snapshot

Here’s a simple HTML table summarizing rough U.S. salary bands:

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Level (US)</th>
      <th>Approx. Annual Pay (USD)</th>
      <th>Notes</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Entry / Trainee</td>
      <td>$45,000 – $75,000</td>
      <td>Training or early career roles at various facilities.[web:1][web:3][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Mid‑career, certified</td>
      <td>$90,000 – $140,000</td>
      <td>Typical range for fully certified controllers.[web:1][web:3][web:5][web:7]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Senior / major hubs</td>
      <td>$150,000 – $200,000+</td>
      <td>Large centers and busy airports with differentials and overtime.[web:7][web:9]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.