What are the main factors that influence an Air Traffic Controller'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 Controller?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Air Traffic Controller roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

How does experience change An Air Traffic Controller's salary?

An Air Traffic Controller's salary grows with experience: a Contact Center Traffic and Scheduling Analyst I (0-2 years)earns $53,630, a Air Traffic Controller (2-4 years)earns $59,486, a Contact Center Traffic and Scheduling Analyst III (4-7 years)earns $74,909, a Contact Center Traffic and Scheduling Supervisor (7+ years)earns $84,153, a Contact Center Traffic and Scheduling Manager (7+ years)earns $121,672,

What are the highest paying states for an Air Traffic Controller?

Air Traffic Controller salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Air Traffic Controller roles are District of Columbia $65,716, California $65,467, Massachusetts $64,595. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Air Traffic Controller roles make?

Salaries for Air Traffic Controller level roles vary by specialization: Air Traffic Manager: $128,750; Air Controller: $86,771; Air Traffic Controller Specialist: $70,115; air traffic control: $62,023; Air Traffic Controller (15Q): $57,968.

Air Traffic Controller Salary in Delaware

How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in Delaware?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Air Traffic Controller in Delaware is $60,107 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,252
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,466 to $68,558
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,329

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Air Traffic Controller Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$68,558	$5,713	$1,318	$33
Average	$60,107	$5,009	$1,156	$29
25th Percentile	$54,466	$4,539	$1,047	$26

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Air Traffic Controller Salaries

An Air Traffic Controller'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 Controller Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Air Traffic Controller'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): $53,630
Early Career (1-2 years): $59,486
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $74,909
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $84,153
Expert (over 8 years): $121,672

Levels	Salary
Contact C... Level Air Traffic Controller	$53,630
Air Traff... Level Air Traffic Controller	$59,486
Contact C... Level Air Traffic Controller	$74,909
Contact C... Level Air Traffic Controller	$84,153
Contact C... Level Air Traffic Controller	$121,672

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Air Traffic Controller 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 Controllers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $65,716.
California: $65,467.
Massachusetts: $64,595.

District of Columbia $65,716 California $65,467 Massachusetts $64,595 Washington $64,357 New Jersey $64,333 Alaska $64,250 Connecticut $63,431 New York $63,099

Hawaii $62,036 Rhode Island $61,538 Maryland $61,200 Minnesota $60,737 Colorado $60,559 Illinois $60,499 Oregon $60,274 Delaware $60,107

New Hampshire $60,003 Virginia $59,769 Pennsylvania $59,087 Nevada $58,742 North Dakota $58,630 Michigan $58,452 Wisconsin $58,386 Vermont $58,256

Texas $57,894 Maine $57,870 Arizona $57,834 Ohio $57,793 Georgia $57,247 Indiana $56,974 Wyoming $56,920 Utah $56,837

Iowa $56,801 Kansas $56,517 Louisiana $56,433 North Carolina $56,404 Missouri $56,392 Florida $56,160 Montana $56,036 Nebraska $55,917

Kentucky $55,852 South Carolina $55,614 Tennessee $55,466 Idaho $55,407 New Mexico $54,973 Oklahoma $54,878 Alabama $54,528 South Dakota $53,941

Arkansas $53,620 West Virginia $53,448 Mississippi $52,932

Top Paying Cities for Air Traffic Controllers

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: $59,837
Little Creek: $60,275
Magnolia: $60,188

Lincoln, DE $59,837 Little Creek, DE $60,275 Magnolia, DE $60,188 Milford, DE $59,989 Marydel, DE $60,087 Millsboro, DE $59,586 Millville, DE $59,678 Milton, DE $59,781

Nassau, DE $59,824 Ocean View, DE $59,668 Rehoboth Beach, DE $59,782 Seaford, DE $59,816 Selbyville, DE $59,569 Smyrna, DE $60,316 Viola, DE $60,039 Woodside, DE $60,200

Bear, DE $60,061 Newark, DE $60,039 Claymont, DE $60,162 Delaware City, DE $60,099 Hockessin, DE $60,033 Kirkwood, DE $60,087 Middletown, DE $60,110 Montchanin, DE $60,047

New Castle, DE $60,056 Odessa, DE $60,140 Port Penn, DE $60,180 Rockland, DE $60,053 Saint Georges, DE $60,091 Townsend, DE $60,184 Winterthur, DE $60,060 Lewes, DE $59,804

Wilmington, DE $60,036 Dover, DE $60,275 Dover Afb, DE $59,957 Bethany Beach, DE $59,605 Bethel, DE $59,666 Bridgeville, DE $59,807 Camden Wyoming, DE $60,105 Cheswold, DE $60,255

Clayton, DE $60,257 Dagsboro, DE $59,563 Delmar, DE $59,468 Ellendale, DE $59,648 Felton, DE $59,984 Fenwick Island, DE $59,576 Frankford, DE $59,472 Frederica, DE $60,043

Georgetown, DE $59,541 Greenwood, DE $59,817 Harbeson, DE $59,604 Harrington, DE $59,908 Hartly, DE $60,094 Houston, DE $59,823 Kenton, DE $60,260 Laurel, DE $59,505

Yorklyn, DE $60,051

Air Traffic Controller Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Air Traffic Controller roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 43% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Air Traffic Controller positions in Transportation or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Air Traffic Controller as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Air Traffic Controller

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit	$69,124	$33.0	15%
Aerospace & Defense	$67,320	$32.0	12%
Telecom	$66,719	$32.0	11%
Hospitality & Leisure	$66,118	$32.0	10%
Internet	$64,916	$31.0	8%

Air Traffic Controller Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Air Traffic Controller'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

$54,466

Average $60,107/year

$68,558

$4,539

Average $5,009/month

$5,713

$1,047

Average $1,156/week

$1,318

$26

Average $29/hour

$33

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$68,558	$5,713	$1,318	$33
Average	$60,107	$5,009	$1,156	$29
25th Percentile	$54,466	$4,539	$1,047	$26

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