Air Traffic Controller salary in Washington
Air Traffic Controllers in Washington earn a median of $162,570 a year ($78.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 620 workers.
Pay ranges from $91,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $209,270 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $148,080. Washington ranks 7th of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.17 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $154,320, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $91,600 | $44.04 |
| 25th percentile | $112,150 | $53.92 |
| Median | $162,570 | $78.16 |
| 75th percentile | $191,030 | $91.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $209,270 | $100.61 |
| Average (mean) | $154,320 | $74.19 |
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 | $13,547.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,773.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,252.69 |
| Weekly | $3,126.35 |
| Hourly | $78.16 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $175,280 | 510 |
Highest-paying states for air traffic controllers
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $229,900 | — |
| Commercial Pilot | $117,730 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $84,050 | $40.41 |
| Flight Attendant | $74,090 | — |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $64,760 | $31.13 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,910 | $24.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $74,250 | $35.70 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $63,370 | $30.47 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $40,070 | $19.26 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $72,280 | $34.75 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in Washington is $162,570 a year, or $78.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $91,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $209,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Washington?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in Washington earn at least $209,270 a year. The top 25% earn $191,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $91,600 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $112,150 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Washington?
About 620 air traffic controllers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.