Air Traffic Controller salary in Iowa
Air Traffic Controllers in Iowa earn a median of $90,790 a year ($43.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,720 for the top 10%. That is 39% lower than the national median of $148,080. Iowa ranks 41st of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.08 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $91,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,930 | $26.41 |
| 25th percentile | $76,980 | $37.01 |
| Median | $90,790 | $43.65 |
| 75th percentile | $105,610 | $50.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,720 | $58.52 |
| Average (mean) | $91,670 | $44.07 |
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 | $7,565.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,782.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,491.92 |
| Weekly | $1,745.96 |
| Hourly | $43.65 |
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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $101,800 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $131,730 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $48,870 | $23.50 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,750 | $20.56 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,470 | $18.02 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $32,580 | $15.66 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in Iowa is $90,790 a year, or $43.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in Iowa earn at least $121,720 a year. The top 25% earn $105,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,930 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $76,980 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Iowa?
About 120 air traffic controllers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.