Air Traffic Control Instructor Salary in the United States

How much does an Air Traffic Control Instructor make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for an Air Traffic Control Instructor in the United States is $118,508 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

However, an Air Traffic Control Instructor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $141,655
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $108,136 to $130,624
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $98,693
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View as table View as graph 25% $108,136 10% $98,693 90% $141,655 75% $130,624 $118,508 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Air Traffic Control Instructor Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $130,624 $10,885 $2,512 $63
Average $118,508 $9,876 $2,279 $57
25th Percentile $108,136 $9,011 $2,080 $52
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Technischer Vertriebsmitarbeiter

Eizo - New Bremen, OH

Travel OT

Focus Staff - GOLDENDALE, WA

Travel OT

Focus Staff - ANACORTES, WA

Travel OT

Focus Staff - REPUBLIC, WA

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Key Factors That Influence Air Traffic Control Instructor Salaries

An Air Traffic Control Instructor's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Air Traffic Control Instructor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Air Traffic Control Instructor's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $107,537
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $84,513
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $115,983
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $148,098
  • Expert (over 8 years): $189,554
Levels Salary
Materials... Level Air Traffic Control Instructor$107,537
Materials... Level Air Traffic Control Instructor$84,513
Air Traff... Level Air Traffic Control Instructor$115,983
Materials... Level Air Traffic Control Instructor$148,098
Materials... Level Air Traffic Control Instructor$189,554
$107,537 0 yr
$84,513 < 2 yrs
$115,983 2-4 yrs
$148,098 5-8 yrs
$189,554 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Air Traffic Control Instructor Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Air Traffic Control Instructors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $131,212.
  • California: $130,714.
  • Massachusetts: $128,972.

Top Paying Cities for Air Traffic Control Instructors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $149,474
  • San Francisco: $148,005
  • Oakland: $144,722

What Skills Can Increase an Air Traffic Control Instructor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 7.67% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Inventory Management (Mentioned in 2.45% Job Postings): Overseeing and controlling supplies and stock to ensure that an organization maintains an adequate stock quantity.
  • Shipping and Receiving (Mentioned in 1.53% Job Postings): Managing and maintaining records of all products shipped and received to ensure the correct filing of orders.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 7.67%
Inventory Management 2.45%
Shipping and Receiving 1.53%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Air Traffic Control Instructor's salary.
  • Interpersonal Relationships: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • New Product Development: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Interpersonal Relationships
$129,174
9%
New Product Development
$127,989
8%
Process Improvement
$126,804
7%
Collaboration
$126,804
7%
Alignment
$125,618
6%
Supply Chain Management
$125,618
6%
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How Education impacts an Air Traffic Control Instructor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Air Traffic Control Instructors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Air Traffic Control Instructor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $118,177 and $127,368).

Air Traffic Control Instructor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Air Traffic Control Instructor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.9%
High School 27.1%
Associates 12.4%
Bachelors 42.6%
Masters 13.2%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Air Traffic Control Instructor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Air Traffic Control Instructor's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Air Traffic Control Instructor

Salaries for an Air Traffic Control Instructor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $100,936 in 2023 to around $100,660 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Air Traffic Control Instructor salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Air Traffic Control Instructor Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$100,936
2024
$101,007
2025
$100,660
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $100,936
2024 $101,007
2025 $100,660
2026
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2027
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Most common benefits for Air Traffic Control Instructor

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Air Traffic Control Instructor

Here are companies hiring for Air Traffic Control Instructor and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Air Traffic Control Instructor job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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