Air traffic controllers across the country are entering 2025 with pay that ranges widely by facility, experience, and work schedule. Federal figures show a strong median, while private surveys point to lower averages in some regions. The latest federal data show a median annual wage of $144,580 as of May 2024, while online pay trackers list average salaries from the low $90,000s to just over $100,000. The spread reflects how overtime, night shifts, and holiday assignments can lift a controller’s paycheck far beyond base salary.
How federal and private data differ
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median hourly wage of $69.28, underscoring steady earnings potential in one of aviation’s most demanding jobs.
- Private sites and job trackers give varied estimates:
- CareerExplorer (2023): $100,810 average annual salary
- PayScale (2025): $93,738 average
- Indeed (2025): $57,010 average, with a range of $33,228–$97,814
These private estimates often rely on self-reported data, which can skew lower in areas with smaller facilities or fewer complex traffic patterns.
Federal pay bands and top earners
The Federal Aviation Administration lists the Air Traffic Control Specialist salary range at $43,727 to $165,088 per year, depending on facility level and experience — before extra pay for schedule-driven assignments.
- Field reports indicate top earners can exceed $200,000 when overtime and premium pay stack up, especially at busy hubs and 24/7 centers.
- Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests facility is one of the strongest predictors of pay outcomes over time.
Premium pay: what increases total compensation
Premium pay explains much of the gap between base salary and final take-home pay. Typical premiums include:
- Overtime: +50%
- Night-shift pay: +10% (work between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.)
- Sunday pay: +25%
- Holiday pay: +100%
- Instructor or supervisory roles: +10–20%
At around-the-clock facilities, managers report premium assignments can add 10–15% to base wages in a typical year, and significantly more during staffing shortages, summer travel peaks, or winter storms.
Premiums and overtime often turn a solid base into six-figure totals for controllers willing to cover nights, weekends, and holidays.
Real-world examples and geography
Anecdotes and local databases align with these patterns:
- In Arlington, Virginia, one controller reported earnings close to the national average, with a clear path to higher pay via overtime and schedule premiums.
- Ronkonkoma, New York, shows a high-end salary of $204,000 in recent years — illustrating how seniority, facility level, and frequent premium shifts push annual pay into the low two hundreds.
Geographic snapshots from mixed sources show wide local variation:
- California (one dataset): $48,171 per year (~$23.16/hr); Los Angeles: $52,882
- Higher-paying cities in some surveys: Appleton, WI: $74,505; Houston, TX: $64,843; Reno, NV: $60,151; Sacramento, CA: $59,302
These local figures reflect a patchwork of airports and radar facilities with different traffic loads, cost-of-living adjustments, and overtime patterns.
Wage distribution and entry-level pay
- Lowest 10%: less than $76,090 per year
- Highest 10%: more than $210,410 per year
- Entry-level pay (across sources): typically $46,000–$55,000 per year
- Typical experience range cited: $55,908–$181,772
Many new controllers begin with modest base pay during training, then progress quickly as they certify on more complex positions and become eligible for overtime.
Facility type, schedule, and career progression
For controllers and trainees, differences between base salary and total compensation often hinge on:
- Facility type (busy en route centers and TRACONs offer more premium shifts)
- Staffing needs (24/7 operations create consistent premium opportunities)
- Certification milestones (more complex positions raise base pay and overtime eligibility)
- Supervisory or instructor roles (additional pay but may reduce scheduling flexibility)
Smaller towers or limited-hour facilities may provide steadier schedules but fewer overtime chances. Conversely, larger centers with frequent staffing gaps or heavy seasonal traffic create more opportunities for premium work.
Why comparing averages can mislead
Industry analysts warn that a single “average salary” can be deceptive:
- Government median figures reflect the midpoint of all wages.
- Market sites depend on who submits data and when, and they often undercount premium pay because overtime varies month-to-month and year-to-year.
- Mentors advise treating posted base salary as a first layer; rotation onto nights, Sundays, and holidays often makes the difference between a mid-range income and six figures above the median.
Job demands and compensation trade-offs
The job’s physical and mental demands help explain premium structures. Controllers must maintain high focus for long stretches and manage congested airspace safely.
- Veteran controllers often see the highest pay in years when they accept more short-notice call-ins and cover storm-related disruptions.
- In chronic staffing gaps, premium patterns may persist for months, substantially boosting income.
Seasonal and staffing effects
Over the last year, travel demand has produced steady overtime at many facilities. Patterns include:
- Expanded summer schedules at regional hubs
- Night and Sunday premiums adding up even without overtime, due to fixed night banks
- Typical compounding effect: 10–15% premium at 24/7 facilities in a normal year, potentially more during storms or staffing squeezes
Practical advice for families and candidates
- Budget based on base salary and treat overtime as a bonus; premium-heavy years can be followed by calmer periods if staffing stabilizes.
- For families planning around a controller’s income, recognize variability from shift work and holiday coverage.
- Experts encourage candidates to review both federal data and private surveys. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides detailed national-level information on air traffic controller pay and employment at the agency’s occupational page on bls.gov.
Central message: air traffic controllers can earn well above the national average for many occupations, and pay can climb higher with overtime, night shifts, Sundays, and holidays. In facilities running day and night, premium pay is often part of planned staffing — and that compounding effect shows most clearly among the top tenth of earners (those above $210,410).
Bottom line
- Early-career controllers start around $46,000–$55,000, with the biggest income jumps coming as they earn certifications and qualify for extra pay.
- Facility-level differences, scheduling, and a willingness to work premium shifts are the primary drivers of final take-home pay.
- Staffing levels and seasonal travel demand directly influence overtime and premium availability, so compensation outcomes remain uneven across locations.
The salary figures tell a consistent story: strong base wages with meaningful upside through premium work, especially in high-traffic facilities where every additional shift helps keep the nation’s airspace moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
Air traffic controller compensation shows wide variation driven by facility type, experience, and premium pay. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $144,580 (May 2024) and a median hourly wage of $69.28. FAA base pay bands range from $43,727 to $165,088, while private trackers report averages between the low $90,000s and about $100,000. Overtime, night, Sunday and holiday premiums often push total pay into six figures; top tenth earners exceed $210,410. Entry-level salaries typically range $46,000–$55,000. Candidates should budget around base pay and treat premiums as variable income.
