Air Traffic Controller salary in District of Columbia
Air Traffic Controllers in District of Columbia earn a median of $47,760 a year ($22.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 820 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,310 for the top 10%. That is 68% lower than the national median of $148,080. District of Columbia ranks 43rd of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 1.2 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 8.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $96,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| 25th percentile | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Median | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| 75th percentile | $174,860 | $84.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $196,310 | $94.38 |
| Average (mean) | $96,410 | $46.35 |
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 | $3,980 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,990 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,836.92 |
| Weekly | $918.46 |
| Hourly | $22.96 |
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 District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $174,870 | 1,800 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| Parking Attendant | $37,220 | $17.89 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $45,740 | $21.99 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $69,870 | $33.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,310 | $28.99 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $64,170 | $30.85 |
| Passenger Attendant | $52,730 | $25.35 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $55,450 | $26.66 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $42,710 | $20.53 |
| Transportation Workers, All Other | $51,730 | $24.87 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in District of Columbia is $47,760 a year, or $22.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in District of Columbia earn at least $196,310 a year. The top 25% earn $174,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,760 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $47,760 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in District of Columbia?
About 820 air traffic controllers are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.