Air Traffic Controller salary in Michigan
Air Traffic Controllers in Michigan earn a median of $118,930 a year ($57.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,380 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $148,080. Michigan ranks 30th 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 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $134,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,430 | $38.67 |
| 25th percentile | $99,610 | $47.89 |
| Median | $118,930 | $57.18 |
| 75th percentile | $178,590 | $85.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $205,380 | $98.74 |
| Average (mean) | $134,670 | $64.74 |
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 | $9,910.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,955.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,574.23 |
| Weekly | $2,287.12 |
| Hourly | $57.18 |
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 Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $178,310 | 180 |
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $126,670 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $428,570 | — |
| Flight Attendant | $62,490 | — |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,180 | $27.49 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,610 | $19.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,380 | $22.30 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in Michigan is $118,930 a year, or $57.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Michigan?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in Michigan earn at least $205,380 a year. The top 25% earn $178,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,430 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $99,610 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Michigan?
About 360 air traffic controllers are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.