Air Traffic Controller salary in Texas
Air Traffic Controllers in Texas earn a median of $170,080 a year ($81.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $90,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $222,230 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $148,080. Texas ranks 6th of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.15 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $156,370, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $90,420 | $43.47 |
| 25th percentile | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Median | $170,080 | $81.77 |
| 75th percentile | $202,590 | $97.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $222,230 | $106.84 |
| Average (mean) | $156,370 | $75.18 |
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 | $14,173.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,086.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,541.54 |
| Weekly | $3,270.77 |
| Hourly | $81.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Air Traffic Controller salary in cities in Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $186,510 | 800 |
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 Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $58,220 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $215,150 | — |
| Commercial Pilot | $137,960 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $60,910 | $29.28 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,840 | $17.71 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,290 | $27.06 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,500 | $20.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,000 | $28.84 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $33,090 | $15.91 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,450 | $14.16 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $44,490 | $21.39 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Texas
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 Texas?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in Texas is $170,080 a year, or $81.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $90,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $222,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Texas?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in Texas earn at least $222,230 a year. The top 25% earn $202,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $90,420 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $107,990 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Texas?
About 2,060 air traffic controllers are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.