Air Traffic Controller salary in Virginia
Air Traffic Controllers in Virginia earn a median of $191,820 a year ($92.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $94,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,680 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $148,080. Virginia ranks 1st of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.27 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $175,740, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $94,330 | $45.35 |
| 25th percentile | $140,480 | $67.54 |
| Median | $191,820 | $92.22 |
| 75th percentile | $214,360 | $103.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,680 | $108.50 |
| Average (mean) | $175,740 | $84.49 |
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 | $15,985 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,992.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,377.69 |
| Weekly | $3,688.85 |
| Hourly | $92.22 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $174,870 | 1,800 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $119,230 | 90 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $104,890 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $72,250 | $34.74 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,380 | $17.49 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,380 | $18.94 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,860 | $27.34 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $46,530 | $22.37 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in Virginia is $191,820 a year, or $92.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $94,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in Virginia earn at least $225,680 a year. The top 25% earn $214,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $94,330 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $140,480 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Virginia?
About 1,120 air traffic controllers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.