The median annual wage for air traffic controllers was $122,950 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $66,780, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $172,590.
The salaries for development controllers increase as they complete each new training phase. According to the FAA, the starting salary for more advanced controllers who have completed on-the-job training varies with the location of the facility, the complexity of the flight paths, and other factors. A full explanation of current starting wages can be found on the FAA Aviation Careers Page.
Most air traffic controllers work full time, and some work additional hours. Controllers may rotate shifts among day, evening, and night, because major control facilities operate continuously. Controllers also work weekend and holiday shifts. Less busy airports may have towers that do not operate on a 24 hour basis. Controllers at these airports have more normal work schedules.
Union Membership
Compared with workers in all occupations, air traffic controllers had a higher percentage of workers who belonged to a union in 2014.
Air Traffic Controllers
Median annual wages, May 2015
Air traffic controllers
$122,950
Air transportation workers
$68,510
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics