Air Traffic Controller salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Air Traffic Controllers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median of $193,360 a year ($92.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $102,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,680 for the top 10%. That is 31% higher than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is 21% higher than the California statewide median of $160,080. There are 0.18 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $179,320, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,170 | $49.12 |
| 25th percentile | $153,230 | $73.67 |
| Median | $193,360 | $92.96 |
| 75th percentile | $218,070 | $104.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,680 | $108.50 |
| Average (mean) | $179,320 | $86.21 |
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 | $16,113.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,056.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,436.92 |
| Weekly | $3,718.46 |
| Hourly | $92.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $193,360 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $196,290 | 240 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $173,020 | 690 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $94,140 | 140 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $89,430 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $374,680 | — |
| Commercial Pilot | $173,070 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $85,680 | $41.19 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $66,450 | $31.95 |
| Light Truck Driver | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $73,950 | $35.56 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $41,610 | $20.01 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $78,900 | $37.93 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $44,350 | $21.32 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $193,360 a year, or $92.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $102,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn at least $225,680 a year. The top 25% earn $218,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $102,170 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $153,230 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
About 430 air traffic controllers are employed in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.