Air Traffic Controller Salary: Pay and Take-Home by State
The typical (median) air traffic controller in the US earns $71.19 an hour, or $148,080 a year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates for 22,510 jobs (May 2025). The middle half earn between $104,520 and $190,570 a year, and the top 10% earn more than $215,610.
After federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, the median salary leaves a single filer about $112,479 a year ($9,373 a month) in a state with no income tax. Using each state's own median pay for this job, take-home is highest in Virginia ($132,159 a year) and lowest in Mississippi ($68,033).
Air Traffic Controller pay range
| Pay level | Hourly | Yearly | Take-home a year* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $37.70 | $78,420 | $63,998 |
| 25th percentile | $50.25 | $104,520 | $82,360 |
| Median (half earn more) | $71.19 | $148,080 | $112,479 |
| 75th percentile | $91.62 | $190,570 | $141,521 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $103.66 | $215,610 | $158,635 |
The average (mean) is $146,490 a year ($70.43 an hour), below the median because a group of lower earners pull it down. *Take-home after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare for a single filer in a state with no income tax (2026). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 53-2021. Source
Air Traffic Controller salary by state
The highest median pay for air traffic controllers is in Virginia ($191,820), Illinois ($181,560), Georgia ($178,420), Colorado ($177,380), Minnesota ($176,840). The lowest is in Mississippi ($88,110), Iowa ($90,790), Wyoming ($93,580).
The most air traffic controllers work in California (2,290), Texas (2,060), Florida (1,950).
After each state's taxes, the most take-home at the local median is in Virginia ($132,159), Texas ($127,516), Illinois ($126,520), Georgia ($125,062), Colorado ($124,162). A state with no income tax can come out ahead of a state that pays more before tax.
Median pay in each state for this job (BLS, May 2025), and take-home at that pay. Take-home is after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and the state's income tax and payroll programs, for a single filer with a 2026 W-4 and no deductions. Local taxes are not included. *District of Columbia: federal taxes only (DC income tax is not modeled yet). Not shown, because BLS did not publish an estimate or it was flagged as unreliable: Connecticut, District of Columbia.
| State | Median hourly | Median yearly | Take-home a year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $55.27 | $114,960 | $85,019 | 240 |
| Alaska | $59.59 | $123,950 | $95,366 | 490 |
| Arizona | $65.77 | $136,800 | $102,033 | 380 |
| Arkansas | $52.77 | $109,760 | $82,185 | 80 |
| California | $76.96 | $160,080 | $106,893 | 2,290 |
| Colorado | $85.28 | $177,380 | $124,162 | 740 |
| Florida | $70.93 | $147,530 | $112,103 | 1,950 |
| Georgia | $85.78 | $178,420 | $125,062 | 970 |
| Hawaii | $76.30 | $158,700 | $108,728 | 210 |
| Illinois | $87.29 | $181,560 | $126,520 | 990 |
| Indiana | $76.35 | $158,810 | $111,970 | 630 |
| Iowa | $43.65 | $90,790 | $69,785 | 120 |
| Kansas | $76.78 | $159,700 | $112,309 | 430 |
| Kentucky | $61.44 | $127,800 | $94,262 | 230 |
| Louisiana | $47.99 | $99,820 | $76,367 | 230 |
| Maine | $51.57 | $107,270 | $77,856 | 70 |
| Maryland | $63.12 | $131,290 | $91,028 | 70 |
| Massachusetts | $60.13 | $125,070 | $90,621 | 120 |
| Michigan | $57.18 | $118,930 | $87,693 | 360 |
| Minnesota | $85.02 | $176,840 | $119,477 | 680 |
| Mississippi | $42.36 | $88,110 | $68,033 | 160 |
| Missouri | $58.75 | $122,200 | $89,980 | 260 |
| Montana | $48.74 | $101,380 | $75,783 | 60 |
| Nebraska | $53.71 | $111,720 | $82,943 | 70 |
| Nevada | $67.75 | $140,920 | $107,585 | 210 |
| New Jersey | $63.57 | $132,230 | $93,585 | 190 |
| New Mexico | $71.42 | $148,550 | $106,457 | 350 |
| New York | $69.69 | $144,960 | $101,530 | 1,150 |
| North Carolina | $62.13 | $129,230 | $94,837 | 410 |
| North Dakota | $51.92 | $107,990 | $83,813 | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $59.24 | $123,220 | $90,495 | 270 |
| Pennsylvania | $63.63 | $132,350 | $97,572 | 460 |
| Rhode Island | $60.72 | $126,300 | $91,072 | 50 |
| South Carolina | $53.86 | $112,030 | $82,327 | 190 |
| Tennessee | $75.64 | $157,330 | $118,801 | 590 |
| Texas | $81.77 | $170,080 | $127,516 | 2,060 |
| Utah | $76.11 | $158,310 | $112,425 | 360 |
| Vermont | $52.47 | $109,140 | $80,551 | 30 |
| Virginia | $92.22 | $191,820 | $132,159 | 1,120 |
| Washington | $78.16 | $162,570 | $120,127 | 620 |
| Wyoming | $44.99 | $93,580 | $74,663 | 40 |
Overtime and pay rules for air traffic controllers
The new no-tax-on-overtime deduction covers the extra half of time-and-a-half pay, up to $12,500 a year for a single filer. Only overtime that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires counts; overtime paid only under a contract, a state law or an employer policy does not. Source Estimate your deduction.
How the exemptions work across jobs: who gets overtime pay.
Taxes on an air traffic controller's pay
On the median $148,080, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare take about 24.0% of pay for a single filer: $24,273 of income tax and $11,328 of Social Security and Medicare a year.
Tax bracket. After the $16,100 standard deduction, taxable income is $131,980, so the top federal rate is 24%. Each extra dollar from a raise or extra shifts is taxed at about 31.65% before state tax: 24% income tax plus 7.65% Social Security and Medicare. Source
401(k). Putting 5% ($7,404 a year) into a traditional 401(k) lowers federal income tax by about $1,777, so it costs about $5,627 of take-home pay.
Self-employed or contract work
BLS pay figures cover employees only; self-employed air traffic controllers are not counted. If you work as a contractor (1099), you pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare (15.3% self-employment tax) and usually make quarterly estimated payments. Use the 1099 Tax Calculator to see what to set aside, and see 1099 vs W-2 take-home pay for how much more a contractor needs to earn.
Jobs with similar pay
| Job | Median yearly | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $140,910 | $67.75 |
| Optometrist | $136,570 | $65.66 |
| Software Engineer (Developer) | $135,980 | $65.38 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| Nurse Midwife | $134,040 | $64.44 |
For a full breakdown of a similar wage, see $70 an hour is how much a year.
Air Traffic Controller salary questions
How much does an air traffic controller make?
The median pay is $71.19 an hour, or $148,080 a year (May 2025, Bureau of Labor Statistics). The bottom 10% earn less than $78,420 and the top 10% more than $215,610.
How much does an air traffic controller make after taxes?
About $112,479 a year, or $4,326 every two weeks, on the median salary for a single filer in a state with no income tax. In Mississippi, at that state's own median pay, it is about $68,033.
How much does an air traffic controller make a month?
About $12,340 a month before taxes at the median salary, and roughly $9,373 after federal taxes in a state with no income tax.
Which state pays air traffic controllers the most?
Virginia, with a median of $191,820 a year ($92.22 an hour). Next are Illinois ($181,560) and Georgia ($178,420). After state taxes, take-home at the local median is highest in Virginia.
How much does an air traffic controller make an hour?
The median is $71.19 an hour. The middle half earn $50.25 to $91.62, and the top 10% more than $103.66.
Do air traffic controllers get paid overtime?
The new no-tax-on-overtime deduction covers the extra half of time-and-a-half pay, up to $12,500 a year for a single filer. Only overtime that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires counts; overtime paid only under a contract, a state law or an employer policy does not.
More public safety and aviation salaries
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All jobs · Hourly to salary chart. BLS data published 2026, reference period May 2025; tax figures checked Oct 26, 2026.