Air Traffic Controller salary in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
Air Traffic Controllers in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area earn a median of $196,290 a year ($94.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,680 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is 23% higher than the California statewide median of $160,080. There are 0.22 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $173,710, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| 25th percentile | $141,090 | $67.83 |
| Median | $196,290 | $94.37 |
| 75th percentile | $208,520 | $100.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,680 | $108.50 |
| Average (mean) | $173,710 | $83.52 |
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 | $16,357.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,178.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,549.62 |
| Weekly | $3,774.81 |
| Hourly | $94.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $196,290 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Air Traffic Controller salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $193,360 | 430 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $173,020 | 690 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $94,140 | 140 |
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 Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $124,570 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $61,740 | $29.69 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $43,200 | $20.77 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,810 | $29.24 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,240 | $30.40 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,570 | $22.87 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,450 | $18.00 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,700 | $18.12 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $43,410 | $20.87 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $48,860 | $23.49 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $65,950 | $31.71 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $70,680 | $33.98 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, 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 Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area is $196,290 a year, or $94.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area earn at least $225,680 a year. The top 25% earn $208,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,810 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $141,090 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA?
About 240 air traffic controllers are employed in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.