Air Traffic Controller salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Air Traffic Controllers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $136,240 a year ($65.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,320 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is 7% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $127,800. There are 0.07 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $126,560, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,270 | $25.61 |
| 25th percentile | $73,110 | $35.15 |
| Median | $136,240 | $65.50 |
| 75th percentile | $168,650 | $81.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $176,320 | $84.77 |
| Average (mean) | $126,560 | $60.85 |
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 | $11,353.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,676.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,240 |
| Weekly | $2,620 |
| Hourly | $65.50 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $189,780 | 850 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $171,910 | 470 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $350,950 | — |
| Commercial Pilot | $130,230 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $76,100 | $36.59 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,810 | $18.18 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,070 | $21.19 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,000 | $23.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,900 | $30.72 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,680 | $17.64 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,870 | $22.54 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,830 | $17.23 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $136,240 a year, or $65.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $176,320 a year. The top 25% earn $168,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,270 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $73,110 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 80 air traffic controllers are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.