The average salary for an air traffic controller in District of Columbia is around $47,760 per year.
Avg Salary
Air traffic controllers earn an average yearly salary of $47,760.
Wages typically start from $47,760 and go up to $196,310.
7% above national average Updated in 2025
Air traffic controller earnings by seniority
Top-level air traffic controller earnings begin at:
$94.38 per hour
$196,310 per year
Senior-level air traffic controller earnings begin at:
$84.07 per hour
$174,860 per year
Mid-level air traffic controller earnings begin at:
$22.96 per hour
$47,760 per year
Junior-level air traffic controller earnings begin at:
$22.96 per hour
$47,760 per year
Starting level air traffic controller earnings begin at:
$22.96 per hour
$47,760 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Air traffic controller salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $99,810 |
| Puerto Rico | $98,770 |
| Oregon | $96,120 |
| Wyoming | $93,580 |
| Iowa | $90,790 |
| Mississippi | $88,110 |
| Guam | $84,900 |
| South Dakota | $79,120 |
| West Virginia | $74,940 |
| District of Columbia | $47,760 |
| Virginia | $191,820 |
| Illinois | $181,560 |
| Georgia | $178,420 |
| Colorado | $177,380 |
| Minnesota | $176,840 |
| Texas | $170,080 |
| New Hampshire | $163,030 |
| Washington | $162,570 |
| California | $160,080 |
| Kansas | $159,700 |
| Indiana | $158,810 |
| Hawaii | $158,700 |
| Utah | $158,310 |
| Tennessee | $157,330 |
| New Mexico | $148,550 |
| Florida | $147,530 |
| New York | $144,960 |
| Ohio | $141,090 |
| Connecticut | $140,940 |
| Nevada | $140,920 |
| Arizona | $136,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $132,350 |
| New Jersey | $132,230 |
| Maryland | $131,290 |
| North Carolina | $129,230 |
| Kentucky | $127,800 |
| Rhode Island | $126,300 |
| Massachusetts | $125,060 |
| Alaska | $123,950 |
| Oklahoma | $123,220 |
| Missouri | $122,200 |
| Michigan | $118,930 |
| Alabama | $114,960 |
| South Carolina | $112,030 |
| Nebraska | $111,710 |
| Arkansas | $109,760 |
| Vermont | $109,140 |
| North Dakota | $107,990 |
| Maine | $107,270 |
| Idaho | $102,810 |
| Montana | $101,380 |
| Wisconsin | $100,050 |
How do air traffic controller salaries compare to similar careers?
Air traffic controllers earn 11% more than similar careers in District of Columbia. On average, they make less than customs brokers but more than bus drivers.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Customs broker salary | $108K |
| Logistician salary | $105K |
| Freight and cargo inspector salary | $90K |
| Air traffic controller salary | $48K |
| Cargo and freight agent salary | $76K |
| Truck driver salary | $64K |
| Travel agent salary | $62K |
| Bus driver salary | $56K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)