Air Traffic Controller salary in Minnesota
Air Traffic Controllers in Minnesota earn a median of $176,840 a year ($85.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 680 workers.
Pay ranges from $88,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,190 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $148,080. Minnesota ranks 5th of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.23 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $162,920, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,940 | $42.76 |
| 25th percentile | $120,940 | $58.14 |
| Median | $176,840 | $85.02 |
| 75th percentile | $200,510 | $96.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $218,190 | $104.90 |
| Average (mean) | $162,920 | $78.33 |
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 | $14,736.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,368.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,801.54 |
| Weekly | $3,400.77 |
| Hourly | $85.02 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $179,670 | 620 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $61,230 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $211,470 | — |
| Commercial Pilot | $98,630 | — |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $32,980 | $15.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $68,430 | $32.90 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,740 | $23.91 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $39,810 | $19.14 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $40,310 | $19.38 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,580 | $18.07 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in Minnesota is $176,840 a year, or $85.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $88,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in Minnesota earn at least $218,190 a year. The top 25% earn $200,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $88,940 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $120,940 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Minnesota?
About 680 air traffic controllers are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.