Air Traffic Controller salary in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
Air Traffic Controllers in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area earn a median of $162,140 a year ($77.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 720 workers.
Pay ranges from $90,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,230 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is 10% higher than the Florida statewide median of $147,530. There are 0.26 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $154,760, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $90,260 | $43.39 |
| 25th percentile | $117,440 | $56.46 |
| Median | $162,140 | $77.95 |
| 75th percentile | $190,030 | $91.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $205,230 | $98.67 |
| Average (mean) | $154,760 | $74.40 |
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 | $13,511.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,755.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,236.15 |
| Weekly | $3,118.08 |
| Hourly | $77.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $162,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in Florida at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Air Traffic Controller salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville, FL | $170,120 | 450 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $150,700 | 110 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $147,800 | 170 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $142,880 | 110 |
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 Florida statewide figures.
Related jobs in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $47,320 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $216,070 | — |
| Commercial Pilot | $127,360 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $58,630 | $28.19 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,580 | $24.80 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,750 | $20.55 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $27,970 | $13.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| Parking Attendant | $29,650 | $14.26 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,310 | $16.50 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,610 | $16.64 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
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 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area is $162,140 a year, or $77.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $90,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area earn at least $205,230 a year. The top 25% earn $190,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $90,260 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $117,440 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL?
About 720 air traffic controllers are employed in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.