Air Traffic Controller salary in Anchorage, AK
Air Traffic Controllers in the Anchorage, AK metro area earn a median of $160,970 a year ($77.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $86,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,530 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is 30% higher than the Alaska statewide median of $123,950. There are 1.6 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 10.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $152,540, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Anchorage, AK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| 25th percentile | $119,270 | $57.34 |
| Median | $160,970 | $77.39 |
| 75th percentile | $191,590 | $92.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $213,530 | $102.66 |
| Average (mean) | $152,540 | $73.34 |
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 | $13,414.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,707.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,191.15 |
| Weekly | $3,095.58 |
| Hourly | $77.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Air Traffic Controller salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $103,230 | 80 |
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 |
See Air Traffic Controller pay in every state or the Alaska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Anchorage, AK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $232,240 | — |
| Commercial Pilot | $99,920 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $65,570 | $31.53 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,310 | $19.38 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Light Truck Driver | $57,250 | $27.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,860 | $29.74 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $52,930 | $25.45 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $40,210 | $19.33 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $41,690 | $20.04 |
| Aircraft Service Attendant | $46,760 | $22.48 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Anchorage, AK
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 Anchorage, AK?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the Anchorage, AK metro area is $160,970 a year, or $77.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $86,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Anchorage, AK?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the Anchorage, AK metro area earn at least $213,530 a year. The top 25% earn $191,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Anchorage, AK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $86,570 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $119,270 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Anchorage, AK?
About 280 air traffic controllers are employed in the Anchorage, AK metro area, not counting the self-employed.