Air Traffic Controller salary in California
Air Traffic Controllers in California earn a median of $160,080 a year ($76.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,680 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $148,080. California ranks 8th of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.13 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $156,910, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,960 | $38.93 |
| 25th percentile | $115,810 | $55.68 |
| Median | $160,080 | $76.96 |
| 75th percentile | $207,670 | $99.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,680 | $108.50 |
| Average (mean) | $156,910 | $75.44 |
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 | $13,340 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,670 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,156.92 |
| Weekly | $3,078.46 |
| Hourly | $76.96 |
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 California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $196,290 | 240 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $193,360 | 430 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $173,020 | 690 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $94,140 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for air traffic controllers
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $82,170 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $353,900 | — |
| Commercial Pilot | $165,590 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $62,600 | $30.10 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,550 | $31.51 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $44,730 | $21.50 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in California is $160,080 a year, or $76.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in California?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in California earn at least $225,680 a year. The top 25% earn $207,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,960 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $115,810 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in California?
About 2,290 air traffic controllers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.