Air Traffic Controller salary in Maryland
Air Traffic Controllers in Maryland earn a median of $131,290 a year ($63.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,920 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $148,080. Maryland ranks 22nd of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.03 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.18). The average (mean) salary is $136,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,600 | $46.44 |
| 25th percentile | $118,350 | $56.90 |
| Median | $131,290 | $63.12 |
| 75th percentile | $164,920 | $79.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,920 | $81.69 |
| Average (mean) | $136,220 | $65.49 |
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 | $10,940.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,470.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,049.62 |
| Weekly | $2,524.81 |
| Hourly | $63.12 |
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 Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $198,590 | 220 |
| 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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $131,210 | — |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,360 | $28.54 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,150 | $23.15 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $74,070 | $35.61 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $56,450 | $27.14 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,390 | $17.49 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $39,750 | $19.11 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $65,220 | $31.35 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $41,870 | $20.13 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in Maryland is $131,290 a year, or $63.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Maryland?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in Maryland earn at least $169,920 a year. The top 25% earn $164,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,600 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $118,350 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Maryland?
About 70 air traffic controllers are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.