Air Traffic Controller salary in North Dakota
Air Traffic Controllers in North Dakota earn a median of $107,990 a year ($51.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,410 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $148,080. North Dakota ranks 36th of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.24 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $106,930, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| 25th percentile | $81,720 | $39.29 |
| Median | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| 75th percentile | $133,660 | $64.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $147,410 | $70.87 |
| Average (mean) | $106,930 | $51.41 |
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 | $8,999.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,499.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,153.46 |
| Weekly | $2,076.73 |
| Hourly | $51.92 |
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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $133,010 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,910 | $29.29 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,070 | $31.28 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $79,820 | $38.38 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,260 | $23.68 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $36,740 | $17.67 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in North Dakota is $107,990 a year, or $51.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in North Dakota earn at least $147,410 a year. The top 25% earn $133,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,470 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $81,720 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in North Dakota?
About 100 air traffic controllers are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.