Air Traffic Controller salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Air Traffic Controllers in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $161,220 a year ($77.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $94,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $204,980 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is 18% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $136,800. There are 0.09 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $157,890, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $94,620 | $45.49 |
| 25th percentile | $132,640 | $63.77 |
| Median | $161,220 | $77.51 |
| 75th percentile | $186,640 | $89.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $204,980 | $98.55 |
| Average (mean) | $157,890 | $75.91 |
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 | $13,435 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,717.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,200.77 |
| Weekly | $3,100.38 |
| Hourly | $77.51 |
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 |
See Air Traffic Controller pay in every state or the Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $61,780 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $228,040 | — |
| Commercial Pilot | $105,770 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $88,420 | $42.51 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,730 | $18.14 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,770 | $28.74 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,790 | $22.01 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,990 | $31.25 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,620 | $17.12 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $37,520 | $18.04 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $161,220 a year, or $77.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $94,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $204,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $204,980 a year. The top 25% earn $186,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $94,620 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $132,640 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 220 air traffic controllers are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.