Air Traffic Controller (ATC) Salary

Average Air Traffic Controller (ATC) Base Salary in the United States

Average Base Salary

$125,633 Per Year

Salary Range: $71,012 to $179,476

Air Traffic Controller (ATC) Salary

$71,012

10%

$88,755

25% 

$ 125,633

AVERAGE

$157,764

75%  

$179,476

90%  

How Much Does an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) Make Per Year in the United States?

The national average salary for an  Air Traffic Controller (ATC) is $125,633 per year in the United States. It can vary depending on the employer and the skills required for that position, but generally, it will be about $125,633 or more annually for a gross salary. Taxes impact salaries, so to get the net salary we’ve crunched the data and gotten the tax information on what the take-home pay would be after the effective income tax rates. 

Technology Used

Microsoft Excel – Spreadsheet software

Microsoft PowerPoint – Presentation software

SAP business and customer relations management software – Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat – Document management software

Really Simple Syndication RSS – Web page creation and editing software

Advanced technologies and oceanic procedures ATOP – Expert system software

Flight simulation software – Flight control software

Traffic management advisor TMA software – Flight control software

Knowledge and Expertise

Transportation

Public Safety and Security

Education and Training

Customer and Personal Service

Geography

Telecommunications

Soft Skills

Active Listening

Speaking

Critical Thinking

Judgment and Decision Making

Monitoring

Complex Problem Solving

What is the salary range of an Air Traffic Controller (ATC)?

Air Traffic Controller (ATC) salaries vary depending on the company you work for, your experience level, industry, education, and years of experience. The average annual salary is around $125,633 but an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) can earn a base salary anywhere from $71,012 to $179,476 per year with some companies paying more than others.

Pay ranges on average for an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) job title only vary a good amount, which may mean that there are many opportunities to earn more income in the future regardless of the employers or your location, industry, and experience.

A salary range that varies also means there is ability to move up within the company, as there may be as many opportunities for advancement or to change your job title. This opportunity for  advancement can help with can increase their job satisfaction and motivation.

What are the Highest Salaries for an Air Traffic Controller (ATC)?

The highest Air Traffic Controller (ATC) salaries in the top 10% earn more than $179,476 per year. The salary range for the top 75% – 90% is between and $157,764 and $179,476 annually.

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What are the Lowest Salaries for an Air Traffic Controller (ATC)?

The lowest Air Traffic Controller (ATC) salaries are in the bottom 10% of earners who make less than $71,012 per year. The salary range for the lowest 10% – 25% is between $71,012 and $88,755 annually.   

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What is a Good Salary for an Air Traffic Controller (ATC)?

If we only look at the data for Air Traffic Controller (ATC) salaries and we don’t compare it to any other jobs, a good salary for an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) job would be over $125,633 per year. This is the average salary for this position in the United States. An excellent pay for an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) would be anything over the top 75%, which is $157,764 annually.

How Can I Increase My Salary as an Air Traffic Controller (ATC)?

There are a few ways you can increase your average salary for a profession as an Air Traffic Controller (ATC). One way is to get promoted to a higher level and take on more duties within your employer. Another way is to gain more experience and skills in your career. You can also try negotiating higher compensation next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

Finally, you can look for a new job at a different employer that pays more. One thing not to overlook is companies often give their employees incentives and benefits outside of salaries. The total compensation, like healthcare, paid vacation days, 401k matches, bonuses, overtime, professional development, a career path in the company, and other benefits, need to be considered, which can add up to a lot more money than just a salary increase.

What are the Top Paying Industries for an Air Traffic Controller (ATC)?

The top paying industries for an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) job vary depending on the position’s specific responsibilities, employers, and qualifications. However, some common reported high-paying industries for include the following:

  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • Federal Government
  • Finance and Insurance

Does an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) Have a Good Quality of Life?

Based on an average 2-bedroom apartment rental price, an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) would pay 15.63% of their monthly take-home pay towards rent. That’s $1,310 per month or $15,720 yearly for a two-bedroom apartment.

The rent is less than 30% of the monthly take-home pay for an Air Traffic Controller (ATC), which can helps lessen a financial burden and impact their quality of life.

This is because a high rent-to-income ratio would leave less money each month for other expenses, such as food, transportation, recreation, and activities. It can lead to financial stress, impacting overall job satisfaction and motivation.

Considering the cost of living in a city when considering whether to accept a job offer is essential. If the cost of living is too high, it might not be worth it, even if the salary is good.

Does an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) make good money?

 In general, an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) can make a good salary. The national average salary is $52,632 annually which is less than the average Air Traffic Controller (ATC) salary, meaning most earn a livable wage. According to data and labor statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average Air Traffic Controller (ATC) pay is above the median salary.

However, salaries can vary depending on the company you work for, what you are responsible for, education, college degree, work experience, job market, and your experience level. The highest-paid can earn upwards of 179,476 per year, while the lowest-paid income is less than 71,012 annually.

If you want to maximize your earnings as a Air Traffic Controller (ATC), take on more responsibility, and gain more experience in related skills. Also, build interpersonal skills and strong leadership skills, get a certification in your field and then negotiate for a higher salary next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

The best thing you can do is develop yourself and gain knowledge. Many courses, additional training, and professional development opportunities in your area can help increase your skills and development in your job or related field.

You can also get your resume reviewed and look for a new employer that will hire and pay more or look for a career change that is hiring and may interest you more.

Salaries are also relative to the cost of living in different parts of the country. For example, the compensation for a Air Traffic Controller (ATC) will need to be higher if it is in or closer to larger cities like New York City or some states like California. The increase in pay in these areas is because of the higher than average cost of living and more interested applicants for employment versus someone living in a small town. With the cost of housing increasing and medical care premium costs, it is essential to ensure you are getting paid what you are worth.

How do I know I’m being paid fairly as an Air Traffic Controller (ATC)?

The easiest way is to see how close your current salary is to the average pay for your position in your state and city. If your income is below the estimated average wage in your area, you can try to negotiate for a raise.

You can use our research and tools to discover the average salary for an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) in your city or region to see if you are being compensated fairly. You may also compare your income to similar jobs and careers to determine whether you are underpaid or overpaid. Lastly, you can set up job alerts to see how the job market trends.

A few other ways you can research whether you’re being paid fairly as an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) is to do a job search to look at job postings for similar positions and see the estimate for the listed salary range. You can also talk to people in your network who have similar jobs and ask them what they earn. Finally, you can try negotiating a higher pay when you are up for renewal, having a performance evaluation, or starting a new contract.

What Factors Determine the Salary of an Air Traffic Controller (ATC)?

The money an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) can make each year greatly depends on a few components that determine an average base salary.

The company you work for is one of the main factors that affect how much an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) earns.

The compensation will also depend on the location, as some states and cities have a higher cost of living than others. Other factors that affect compensation are the number of hours worked, company size, job type, level of experience in your career, and location.