Air Traffic Controller salary in Alabama
Air Traffic Controllers in Alabama earn a median of $114,960 a year ($55.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,640 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $148,080. Alabama ranks 31st of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.12 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $117,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,420 | $38.18 |
| 25th percentile | $100,310 | $48.22 |
| Median | $114,960 | $55.27 |
| 75th percentile | $138,050 | $66.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,640 | $76.75 |
| Average (mean) | $117,540 | $56.51 |
Half of air traffic controllers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,580 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,790 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,421.54 |
| Weekly | $2,210.77 |
| Hourly | $55.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for air traffic controllers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia | $191,820 |
| Illinois | $181,560 |
| Georgia | $178,420 |
| Colorado | $177,380 |
| Minnesota | $176,840 |
| Texas | $170,080 |
| Washington | $162,570 |
| California | $160,080 |
| Kansas | $159,700 |
| Indiana | $158,810 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $101,420 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $136,990 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $78,590 | $37.79 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,290 | $16.48 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $52,120 | $25.06 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| Light Truck Driver | $38,490 | $18.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $59,780 | $28.74 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $17,630 | $8.48 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $31,770 | $15.28 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,360 | $14.11 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,190 | $18.84 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $46,240 | $22.23 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a air traffic controller make in Alabama?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in Alabama is $114,960 a year, or $55.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Alabama?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in Alabama earn at least $159,640 a year. The top 25% earn $138,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,420 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $100,310 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Alabama?
About 240 air traffic controllers are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.