Air Traffic Controller salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Air Traffic Controllers in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $161,700 a year ($77.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $85,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,160 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is 32% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $122,200. There are 0.39 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $153,000, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,800 | $41.25 |
| 25th percentile | $126,480 | $60.81 |
| Median | $161,700 | $77.74 |
| 75th percentile | $181,330 | $87.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $199,160 | $95.75 |
| Average (mean) | $153,000 | $73.56 |
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 | $13,475 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,737.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,219.23 |
| Weekly | $3,109.62 |
| Hourly | $77.74 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $127,630 | 140 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $131,000 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,700 | $20.05 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,170 | $28.93 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $44,460 | $21.38 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,350 | $22.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,610 | $30.58 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $59,360 | $28.54 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $161,700 a year, or $77.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $85,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $199,160 a year. The top 25% earn $181,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $85,800 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $126,480 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 430 air traffic controllers are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.