Air Traffic Controller Salary in Washington, DC

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How much does an Air Traffic Controller make in Washington, DC?

As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for an Air Traffic Controller in Washington, DC is $73,430. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $65,145 to $83,131, with most professionals earning between $57,603 and $91,963.

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Salary range for a Air Traffic Controller
$65,145 to $83,131
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What is an Air Traffic Controller?

Air traffic controllers often abbreviated ATC are personnel responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic in the global air traffic control system. Usually stationed in air traffic control centers and control towers on the ground, they monitor the position, speed, and altitude of aircraft in their assigned airspace visually and by radar, and give directions to the pilots by radio. The position of Air Traffic Controller is one that requires highly specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. Controllers apply separation rules to keep aircraft at a safe distance from ...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 09/06/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Job Openings for Air Traffic Controller in Washington, DC
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Air Traffic Controller Salary By Experience Levels in Washington, DC

How much should you be earning in Air Traffic Controller in Washington, DC based on your current experience?
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RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE

Length of experience is a pay differentiator. Those with greater experience may have an advantage in negotiating salary. For those with less experience, other factors such as education or special skills could impact your pay. Please visit Professional Salary Report for more details.

Air Traffic Controller Salary By Level of Education in Washington, DC

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LEVEL OF EDUCATION

Depending on the job, educational levels may have a significant impact on pay levels. Be informed and understand how things like education and certifications can help to increase potential earnings for the career you are interested in. Please visit Professional Salary Report for more details.

Average Salary Range for Air Traffic Controller in Washington, DC

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
65145
83131
73430

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
67429
87330
76869
What is the average salary for Air Traffic Controller in 2025?
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Air Traffic Controller in Washington, DC. The base salary for Air Traffic Controller ranges from $65,145 to $83,131 with the average base salary of $73,430. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $67,429 to $87,330 with the average total cash compensation of $76,869.

View Average Salary for Air Traffic Controller as table

Average Salary Average Salary Range
Base Salary $73,430 $65,145 - $83,131
Bonus $3,439 $2,283 - $4,199
Total Pay $76,869 $67,429 - $87,330
* Base Salary represents gross income before taxes and deductions. It does not include additional pay such as benefits, bonuses, profit sharing or commissions.
* Total Pay combines base salary, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job.

Air Traffic Controller Salary Near Washington, DC

CITY, STATE AVERAGE SALARY RANGE COMPARE TO Washington, DC
CITY, STATE Arlington, VA AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $65,145 - $83,131 COMPARE TO Washington, DC 0%
CITY, STATE Alexandria, VA AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $65,145 - $83,131 COMPARE TO Washington, DC 0%
CITY, STATE Annandale, VA AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $65,145 - $83,131 COMPARE TO Washington, DC 0%
CITY, STATE Bowie, MD AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $65,010 - $82,958 COMPARE TO Washington, DC
CITY, STATE Bethesda, MD AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $65,145 - $83,131 COMPARE TO Washington, DC 0%
CITY, STATE Silver Spring, MD AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $65,145 - $83,131 COMPARE TO Washington, DC 0%
See salaries for Air Traffic Controller in locations close to Washington, DC. Pay for the same job may vary based on the location and on the location and on other factors such as the size of company, the industry, and other local conditions.

View Salary for Similar Jobs to Air Traffic Controller in Washington, DC

See Additional Similar Jobs
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JOB TITLE LOCATION MINIMUM SALARY MAXIMUM SALARY
JOB TITLE Air Traffic Controller Trainee LOCATION Washington, DC MINIMUM SALARY $50,184 MAXIMUM SALARY $61,996
JOB TITLE Air Traffic Controller Supervisor LOCATION Washington, DC MINIMUM SALARY $61,918 MAXIMUM SALARY $79,707
JOB TITLE Air Traffic Controller (15Q) LOCATION Washington, DC MINIMUM SALARY $50,184 MAXIMUM SALARY $61,996
JOB TITLE Air Traffic Controller Specialist LOCATION Washington, DC MINIMUM SALARY $64,313 MAXIMUM SALARY $75,489
JOB TITLE Air Controller LOCATION Washington, DC MINIMUM SALARY $82,491 MAXIMUM SALARY $124,835
JOB TITLE Traffic Controller LOCATION Washington, DC MINIMUM SALARY $53,154 MAXIMUM SALARY $60,814
The Air Traffic Controller job could be listed using titles that are not exactly the same, but actually are for the same or very similar job. Here are some job titles in Washington, DC that might be a good fit for the type of job and salary you are looking for.

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65145
83131

 

About Washington, District of Columbia    Washington, D.C. is located in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. East Coast. Due to the District of Columbia retrocession, the city has a total area....More

Washington, District of Columbia  area prices were up 1.3% from a year ago

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