Air Traffic Controller salary in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
Air Traffic Controllers in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median of $94,140 a year ($45.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,650 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is 41% lower than the California statewide median of $160,080. There are 0.08 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $96,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| 25th percentile | $77,200 | $37.11 |
| Median | $94,140 | $45.26 |
| 75th percentile | $126,590 | $60.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,650 | $68.10 |
| Average (mean) | $96,750 | $46.52 |
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 | $7,845 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,922.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,620.77 |
| Weekly | $1,810.38 |
| Hourly | $45.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Air Traffic Controller salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $196,290 | 240 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $193,360 | 430 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $173,020 | 690 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $112,320 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $54,960 | $26.42 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $207,000 | — |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $43,200 | $20.77 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,060 | $22.15 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,850 | $23.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $69,920 | $33.61 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $38,400 | $18.46 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,230 | $17.42 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $61,900 | $29.76 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $38,030 | $18.28 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
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 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $94,140 a year, or $45.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn at least $141,650 a year. The top 25% earn $126,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,510 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $77,200 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
About 140 air traffic controllers are employed in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.