Air Traffic Controller salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Air Traffic Controllers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $119,230 a year ($57.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $84,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,700 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is 38% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $191,820. There are 0.12 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $115,560, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,740 | $40.74 |
| 25th percentile | $101,880 | $48.98 |
| Median | $119,230 | $57.32 |
| 75th percentile | $130,710 | $62.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,700 | $71.49 |
| Average (mean) | $115,560 | $55.56 |
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 | $9,935.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,967.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,585.77 |
| Weekly | $2,292.88 |
| Hourly | $57.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $119,230 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $174,870 | 1,800 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $80,160 | — |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,160 | $18.83 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,120 | $16.88 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $50,460 | $24.26 |
| Light Truck Driver | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,140 | $29.39 |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | $48,210 | $23.18 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,190 | $15.96 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $86,940 | $41.80 |
| Ship Engineer | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $32,700 | $15.72 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $119,230 a year, or $57.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $148,700 a year. The top 25% earn $130,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,740 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $101,880 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 90 air traffic controllers are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.