Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021) employed 22,510 people in May 2025. The median pay is $148,080 a year ($71.19 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $78,420 and the highest-paid 10% more than $215,610. BLS projects its employment to change by +1.7% between 2025 and 2035 (about 2,100 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Associate's degree.
Highest median pay: Virginia ($191,820), Illinois ($181,560), Georgia ($178,420). Most jobs: California (2,290), Texas (2,060), Florida (1,950).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,420 | $37.70 |
| 25th percentile | $104,520 | $50.25 |
| Median | $148,080 | $71.19 |
| Mean | $146,490 | $70.43 |
| 75th percentile | $190,570 | $91.62 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $215,610 | $103.66 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 24,000 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 24,400 |
| Change in jobs | 400 |
| Percent change | +1.7% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 2,100 |
| Self-employed share | n/a |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Long-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 240 | 0.79 | $114,960 | $79,420 | $159,640 | -22% | 11% |
| Alaska | 490 | 10.35 | $123,950 | $66,800 | $191,690 | -16% | 14% |
| Arizona | 380 | 0.81 | $136,800 | $86,630 | $195,980 | -8% | 15% |
| Arkansas | 80 | 0.44 | $109,760 | $76,360 | $134,430 | -26% | 11% |
| California | 2,290 | 0.87 | $160,080 | $80,960 | $225,680 | +8% | 16% |
| Colorado | 740 | 1.77 | $177,380 | $76,310 | $213,950 | +20% | 12% |
| District of Columbia | 820 | 8.08 | $47,760 | $47,760 | $196,310 | -68% | 49% |
| Florida | 1,950 | 1.35 | $147,530 | $86,660 | $195,960 | -0% | 15% |
| Georgia | 970 | 1.37 | $178,420 | $90,940 | $217,590 | +20% | 10% |
| Hawaii | 210 | 2.26 | $158,700 | $92,580 | $205,000 | +7% | 15% |
| Illinois | 990 | 1.12 | $181,560 | $83,990 | $225,680 | +23% | 9% |
| Indiana | 630 | 1.36 | $158,810 | $81,000 | $200,640 | +7% | 8% |
| Iowa | 120 | 0.55 | $90,790 | $54,930 | $121,720 | -39% | 13% |
| Kansas | 430 | 2.04 | $159,700 | $82,060 | $199,160 | +8% | 8% |
| Kentucky | 230 | 0.79 | $127,800 | $66,150 | $168,650 | -14% | 9% |
| Louisiana | 230 | 0.84 | $99,810 | $75,130 | $149,700 | -33% | 13% |
| Maine | 70 | 0.77 | $107,270 | $46,550 | $135,910 | -28% | 14% |
| Maryland | 70 | 0.18 | $131,290 | $96,600 | $169,920 | -11% | 16% |
| Massachusetts | 120 | 0.22 | $125,060 | $82,150 | $202,070 | -16% | 18% |
| Michigan | 360 | 0.56 | $118,930 | $80,430 | $205,380 | -20% | 12% |
| Minnesota | 680 | 1.60 | $176,840 | $88,940 | $218,190 | +19% | 9% |
| Mississippi | 160 | 0.92 | $88,110 | $64,380 | $127,170 | -40% | 13% |
| Missouri | 260 | 0.61 | $122,200 | $90,940 | $166,610 | -17% | 10% |
| Montana | 60 | 0.85 | $101,380 | $75,130 | $127,980 | -32% | 14% |
| Nebraska | 70 | 0.46 | $111,710 | $83,030 | $147,990 | -25% | 12% |
| Nevada | 210 | 0.93 | $140,920 | $80,600 | $200,160 | -5% | 15% |
| New Jersey | 190 | 0.30 | $132,230 | $88,460 | $209,730 | -11% | 16% |
| New Mexico | 350 | 2.78 | $148,550 | $77,400 | $187,790 | +0% | 9% |
| New York | 1,150 | 0.82 | $144,960 | $74,320 | $225,680 | -2% | 14% |
| North Carolina | 410 | 0.57 | $129,230 | $88,690 | $191,530 | -13% | 12% |
| North Dakota | 100 | 1.69 | $107,990 | $58,470 | $147,410 | -27% | 11% |
| Oklahoma | 270 | 1.08 | $123,220 | $78,340 | $169,980 | -17% | 10% |
| Pennsylvania | 460 | 0.53 | $132,350 | $81,490 | $225,680 | -11% | 11% |
| Rhode Island | 50 | 0.64 | $126,300 | $61,710 | $150,180 | -15% | 13% |
| South Carolina | 190 | 0.57 | $112,030 | $71,680 | $142,830 | -24% | 14% |
| Tennessee | 590 | 1.24 | $157,330 | $98,300 | $198,790 | +6% | 10% |
| Texas | 2,060 | 1.01 | $170,080 | $90,420 | $222,230 | +15% | 10% |
| Utah | 360 | 1.44 | $158,310 | $75,360 | $186,180 | +7% | 12% |
| Vermont | 30 | 0.68 | $109,140 | $90,500 | $139,810 | -26% | 15% |
| Virginia | 1,120 | 1.88 | $191,820 | $94,330 | $225,680 | +30% | 10% |
| Washington | 620 | 1.20 | $162,570 | $91,600 | $209,270 | +10% | 13% |
| Wyoming | 40 | 0.89 | $93,580 | $75,130 | $132,000 | -37% | 13% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 430 | $193,360 | $102,170 | $225,680 | 1.24 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 850 | $189,780 | $89,690 | $225,680 | 1.30 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 810 | $186,640 | $111,160 | $217,590 | 1.95 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 800 | $186,510 | $97,040 | $223,700 | 1.36 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 620 | $179,670 | $99,230 | $222,000 | 2.20 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 510 | $175,280 | $96,640 | $215,840 | 1.69 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 1,800 | $174,870 | $47,760 | $225,680 | 3.96 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 690 | $173,020 | $63,520 | $225,680 | 0.76 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 470 | $171,910 | $104,780 | $204,210 | 2.94 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 450 | $170,120 | $90,910 | $195,960 | 4.09 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 720 | $162,140 | $90,260 | $205,230 | 1.77 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 430 | $161,700 | $85,800 | $199,160 | 2.69 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 330 | $161,640 | $76,560 | $191,670 | 2.77 |
The median is $148,080 a year ($71.19 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $78,420 and the highest-paid tenth over $215,610 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
22,510 in May 2025, and BLS projects +1.7% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Associate's degree (BLS).
Virginia, with a median of $191,820 (among states with published figures).