Air Traffic Controllers Salary
BLS May 2025 median wages — with computed take-home after taxes for all 43 reporting states. Tax year 2026.
Quick answer
According to netpaytally.com's analysis of BLS May 2025 data, the median air traffic controllers in the US earns $148,080 per year (22,510 employed). Gross pay is highest in Virginia ($191,820) and lowest in Washington DC ($47,760) — but what you keep depends on the state's taxes; see the table.
| State | Median wage | After taxes | Monthly net | Kept | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controllers in California | $160,080 | $110,023 | $9,169 | 68.7% | 2,290 |
| Air Traffic Controllers in New York | $144,960 | $102,834 | $8,569 | 70.9% | 1,150 |
How much do Air Traffic Controllers make?
The median Air Traffic Controllers in the US earns $148,080 per year (about $71.19 per hour) — BLS May 2025, 22,510 employed nationwide.
How much do Air Traffic Controllers make after taxes?
Take-home pay for the median Air Traffic Controllers ranges from $102,834 in New York to $110,023 in California per year, depending on state income tax — computed for all 2 reporting states in the table below.
Which state has the highest take-home pay for Air Traffic Controllers?
California: the median gross of $160,080 keeps $110,023 after federal, FICA and state tax (68.7% keep-rate).
Which state pays Air Traffic Controllers the most?
Virginia has the highest median gross for Air Traffic Controllers at $191,820 — but the highest gross is not always the highest take-home; state taxes change the order.
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