Air Traffic Controller salary in Nebraska
Air Traffic Controllers in Nebraska earn a median of $111,710 a year ($53.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,990 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $148,080. Nebraska ranks 33rd of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.07 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $113,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Nebraska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,030 | $39.92 |
| 25th percentile | $94,910 | $45.63 |
| Median | $111,710 | $53.71 |
| 75th percentile | $127,630 | $61.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $147,990 | $71.15 |
| Average (mean) | $113,210 | $54.43 |
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 | $9,309.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,654.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,296.54 |
| Weekly | $2,148.27 |
| Hourly | $53.71 |
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 Nebraska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $104,780 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $131,650 | — |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,390 | $28.07 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,730 | $22.46 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,160 | $17.87 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,120 | $21.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,280 | $16.96 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $43,360 | $20.85 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Nebraska
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 Nebraska?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in Nebraska is $111,710 a year, or $53.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Nebraska?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in Nebraska earn at least $147,990 a year. The top 25% earn $127,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Nebraska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,030 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $94,910 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Nebraska?
About 70 air traffic controllers are employed in Nebraska, not counting the self-employed.