Air Traffic Controller salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Air Traffic Controllers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $174,870 a year ($84.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,680 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $148,080. Pay here is 266% higher than the District of Columbia statewide median of $47,760. There are 0.57 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $144,670, close to the median.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| 25th percentile | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Median | $174,870 | $84.07 |
| 75th percentile | $207,670 | $99.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,680 | $108.50 |
| Average (mean) | $144,670 | $69.55 |
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 | $14,572.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,286.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,725.77 |
| Weekly | $3,362.88 |
| Hourly | $84.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $174,870 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $198,590 | 220 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $119,230 | 90 |
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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $209,750 | — |
| Flight Attendant | $63,580 | — |
| Commercial Pilot | $125,850 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $43,930 | $21.12 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,590 | $20.47 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $57,610 | $27.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $67,960 | $32.67 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $45,640 | $21.94 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $174,870 a year, or $84.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $225,680 a year. The top 25% earn $207,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,760 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $47,760 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 1,800 air traffic controllers are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.