Air Traffic Controller salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Air Traffic Controllers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $178,310 a year ($85.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $100,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,340 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is 50% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $118,930. There are 0.10 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $163,150, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,210 | $48.18 |
| 25th percentile | $119,240 | $57.33 |
| Median | $178,310 | $85.73 |
| 75th percentile | $196,810 | $94.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $214,340 | $103.05 |
| Average (mean) | $163,150 | $78.44 |
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 | $14,859.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,429.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,858.08 |
| Weekly | $3,429.04 |
| Hourly | $85.73 |
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 |
See Air Traffic Controller pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $133,220 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $69,560 | $33.44 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $428,570 | — |
| Flight Attendant | $62,490 | — |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,720 | $17.66 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,120 | $28.43 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $40,630 | $19.54 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,120 | $17.37 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,780 | $16.72 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,390 | $17.49 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $178,310 a year, or $85.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $100,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $214,340 a year. The top 25% earn $196,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $100,210 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $119,240 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 180 air traffic controllers are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.