Air Traffic Controller salary in Arizona
Air Traffic Controllers in Arizona earn a median of $136,800 a year ($65.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $86,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,980 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $148,080. Arizona ranks 19th of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.12 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $140,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| 25th percentile | $112,030 | $53.86 |
| Median | $136,800 | $65.77 |
| 75th percentile | $170,870 | $82.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,980 | $94.22 |
| Average (mean) | $140,340 | $67.47 |
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 | $11,400 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,700 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,261.54 |
| Weekly | $2,630.77 |
| Hourly | $65.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Air Traffic Controller salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $161,220 | 220 |
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 Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $61,780 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $227,870 | — |
| Commercial Pilot | $103,060 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $77,570 | $37.30 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,080 | $27.92 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,140 | $21.70 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,360 | $30.46 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,410 | $17.02 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,840 | $17.71 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
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 Arizona?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in Arizona is $136,800 a year, or $65.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $86,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Arizona?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in Arizona earn at least $195,980 a year. The top 25% earn $170,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $86,630 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $112,030 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Arizona?
About 380 air traffic controllers are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.