What are the main factors that influence an Air Traffic Control Operator's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Air Traffic Control Operator?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Air Traffic Control Operator roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

How does experience change An Air Traffic Control Operator's salary?

An Air Traffic Control Operator's salary grows with experience: a Air Traffic Control Operator (1-3 years)earns $49,960, a Traffic Clerk II (3-5 years)earns $55,065, a Traffic Clerk III (5-7 years)earns $68,955, a Traffic Supervisor (7+ years)earns $83,623, a Traffic Manager (7+ years)earns $108,147,

What are the highest paying states for an Air Traffic Control Operator?

Air Traffic Control Operator salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Air Traffic Control Operator roles are District of Columbia $55,346, California $55,136, Massachusetts $54,401. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Air Traffic Control Operator roles make?

Salaries for Air Traffic Control Operator level roles vary by specialization: 94D - Air Traffic Control Equipment Repairer: $127,540; Air Traffic Control Instructor: $118,546; Air Traffic Control Associate: $110,841; Air Traffic Control Manager: $105,494; Air Traffic Control Analyst: $103,652.

Air Traffic Control Operator Salary in Delaware

How much does an Air Traffic Control Operator make in Delaware?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Air Traffic Control Operator in Delaware is $50,622 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $67,824
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,099 to $59,626
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $36,250

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Air Traffic Control Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$59,626	$4,969	$1,147	$29
Average	$50,622	$4,218	$973	$24
25th Percentile	$43,099	$3,592	$829	$21

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Air Traffic Control Operator Salaries

An Air Traffic Control Operator'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Air Traffic Control Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Air Traffic Control Operator'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): $49,960
Early Career (1-2 years): $55,065
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $68,955
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $83,623
Expert (over 8 years): $108,147

Levels	Salary
Air Traff... Level Air Traffic Control Operator	$49,960
Traffic C... Level Air Traffic Control Operator	$55,065
Traffic C... Level Air Traffic Control Operator	$68,955
Traffic S... Level Air Traffic Control Operator	$83,623
Traffic M... Level Air Traffic Control Operator	$108,147

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Air Traffic Control Operator 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 Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $55,346.
California: $55,136.
Massachusetts: $54,401.

District of Columbia $55,346 California $55,136 Massachusetts $54,401 Washington $54,201 New Jersey $54,181 Alaska $54,111 Connecticut $53,421 New York $53,141

Hawaii $52,246 Rhode Island $51,827 Maryland $51,542 Minnesota $51,152 Colorado $51,002 Illinois $50,952 Oregon $50,762 Delaware $50,622

New Hampshire $50,534 Virginia $50,337 Pennsylvania $49,762 Nevada $49,472 North Dakota $49,377 Michigan $49,227 Wisconsin $49,172 Vermont $49,062

Texas $48,757 Maine $48,737 Arizona $48,707 Ohio $48,672 Georgia $48,212 Indiana $47,983 Wyoming $47,938 Utah $47,868

Iowa $47,838 Kansas $47,598 Louisiana $47,528 North Carolina $47,503 Missouri $47,493 Florida $47,298 Montana $47,193 Nebraska $47,093

Kentucky $47,038 South Carolina $46,838 Tennessee $46,713 Idaho $46,663 New Mexico $46,298 Oklahoma $46,218 Alabama $45,923 South Dakota $45,428

Arkansas $45,158 West Virginia $45,013 Mississippi $44,578

Top Paying Cities for Air Traffic Control Operators

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:

Lincoln: $50,394
Little Creek: $50,763
Magnolia: $50,690

Lincoln, DE $50,394 Little Creek, DE $50,763 Magnolia, DE $50,690 Milford, DE $50,522 Marydel, DE $50,605 Millsboro, DE $50,182 Millville, DE $50,260 Milton, DE $50,347

Nassau, DE $50,383 Ocean View, DE $50,251 Rehoboth Beach, DE $50,348 Seaford, DE $50,376 Selbyville, DE $50,168 Smyrna, DE $50,798 Viola, DE $50,564 Woodside, DE $50,700

Bear, DE $50,583 Newark, DE $50,564 Claymont, DE $50,667 Delaware City, DE $50,614 Hockessin, DE $50,559 Kirkwood, DE $50,605 Middletown, DE $50,624 Montchanin, DE $50,571

New Castle, DE $50,578 Odessa, DE $50,649 Port Penn, DE $50,683 Rockland, DE $50,576 Saint Georges, DE $50,608 Townsend, DE $50,686 Winterthur, DE $50,582 Lewes, DE $50,366

Wilmington, DE $50,562 Dover, DE $50,763 Dover Afb, DE $50,495 Bethany Beach, DE $50,198 Bethel, DE $50,250 Bridgeville, DE $50,369 Camden Wyoming, DE $50,620 Cheswold, DE $50,746

Clayton, DE $50,748 Dagsboro, DE $50,163 Delmar, DE $50,083 Ellendale, DE $50,235 Felton, DE $50,518 Fenwick Island, DE $50,174 Frankford, DE $50,087 Frederica, DE $50,568

Georgetown, DE $50,144 Greenwood, DE $50,377 Harbeson, DE $50,198 Harrington, DE $50,454 Hartly, DE $50,611 Houston, DE $50,382 Kenton, DE $50,750 Laurel, DE $50,114

Yorklyn, DE $50,574

Air Traffic Control Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Air Traffic Control Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Air Traffic Control Operator positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Air Traffic Control Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Air Traffic Control Operator

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services	$60,746	$29.0	20%
Pharmaceuticals	$60,746	$29.0	20%
Software & Networking	$60,746	$29.0	20%
Biotechnology	$58,215	$28.0	15%
Energy & Utilities	$58,215	$28.0	15%

Air Traffic Control Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Air Traffic Control Operator'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 August 01, 2026

$43,099

Average $50,622/year

$59,626

$3,592

Average $4,218/month

$4,969

$829

Average $973/week

$1,147

$21

Average $24/hour

$29

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$59,626	$4,969	$1,147	$29
Average	$50,622	$4,218	$973	$24
25th Percentile	$43,099	$3,592	$829	$21

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