Air Traffic Controller salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
Air Traffic Controllers in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median of $171,910 a year ($82.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $104,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $204,210 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is 8% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $158,810. There are 0.42 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $160,990, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,780 | $50.38 |
| 25th percentile | $156,290 | $75.14 |
| Median | $171,910 | $82.65 |
| 75th percentile | $189,090 | $90.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $204,210 | $98.18 |
| Average (mean) | $160,990 | $77.40 |
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 | $14,325.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,162.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,611.92 |
| Weekly | $3,305.96 |
| Hourly | $82.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $171,910 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Air Traffic Controller salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $189,780 | 850 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $136,240 | 80 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $128,900 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $40,520 | $19.48 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $171,260 | — |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,180 | $21.24 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,980 | $29.80 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,590 | $31.53 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,890 | $23.99 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $40,590 | $19.51 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,040 | $17.81 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,470 | $16.09 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $32,790 | $15.77 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, 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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $171,910 a year, or $82.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $104,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $204,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn at least $204,210 a year. The top 25% earn $189,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $104,780 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $156,290 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
About 470 air traffic controllers are employed in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.