Air Traffic Controller salary in New York
Air Traffic Controllers in New York earn a median of $144,960 a year ($69.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,680 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $148,080. New York ranks 16th of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.12 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $154,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,320 | $35.73 |
| 25th percentile | $106,200 | $51.06 |
| Median | $144,960 | $69.69 |
| 75th percentile | $216,570 | $104.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,680 | $108.50 |
| Average (mean) | $154,660 | $74.36 |
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 | $12,080 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,040 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,575.38 |
| Weekly | $2,787.69 |
| Hourly | $69.69 |
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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $126,650 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $255,240 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $42,000 | $20.19 |
| Commercial Pilot | $177,430 | — |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,030 | $18.76 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $56,640 | $27.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $67,300 | $32.36 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,730 | $20.54 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $44,160 | $21.23 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in New York is $144,960 a year, or $69.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in New York?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in New York earn at least $225,680 a year. The top 25% earn $216,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,320 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $106,200 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in New York?
About 1,150 air traffic controllers are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.