Air Traffic Controller salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Air Traffic Controllers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $127,630 a year ($61.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $92,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,800 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is 4% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $122,200. There are 0.10 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $129,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $92,600 | $44.52 |
| 25th percentile | $110,260 | $53.01 |
| Median | $127,630 | $61.36 |
| 75th percentile | $147,530 | $70.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,800 | $80.19 |
| Average (mean) | $129,420 | $62.22 |
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 | $10,635.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,317.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,908.85 |
| Weekly | $2,454.42 |
| Hourly | $61.36 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $189,780 | 850 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $161,700 | 430 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $91,540 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $41,070 | $19.75 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,780 | $20.09 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,330 | $22.28 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,220 | $16.93 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $61,080 | $29.37 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $127,630 a year, or $61.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $92,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $166,800 a year. The top 25% earn $147,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $92,600 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $110,260 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 140 air traffic controllers are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.