The job of an air traffic controller carries immense responsibility—directing take-offs, landings, and aircraft in flight requires precision, quick decisions, and grace under pressure. But along with the demanding role comes competitive pay that outpaces many other occupations. When adjusted for cost of living, some states stand out for the highest salaries for air traffic controllers. The range is wide. Read on for the top 15 states where air traffic controllers can expect the largest paychecks compared to living costs.
Using data from the BLS’ May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, 24/7 Wall St. identified how much air traffic controllers make in each state. States were ranked on the median annual wage for all air traffic controllers in 2022. Data on cost of living is from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and is based on regional price parity in 2022 (Most recent data).
Across all 50 states, the median annual wage for air traffic controllers ranges from about $77,580 to $169,940.
15. California
- Median annual salary for occupation: $133,640.00
- Cost of living rank (#1 is the lowest and #50 is the highest): 50
- Cost-of-living-adjusted median annual salary for occupation: $116,975.09
- Cost of living compared to U.S. average: -12.47% less than U.S. average
14. Tennessee
- Median annual salary for occupation: $138,670.00
- Cost of living rank (#1 is the lowest and #50 is the highest): 17
- Cost-of-living-adjusted median annual salary for occupation: $150,045.10
- Cost of living compared to U.S. average: 8.20% greater than U.S. average
13. Indiana
- Median annual salary for occupation: $139,940.00
- Cost of living (#1 is the lowest and #50 is the highest): 18
- Cost-of-living-adjusted median annual salary for occupation: $151,391.29
- Cost of living compared to U.S. average: 8.18% greater than U.S. average
12. Utah
- Median annual salary for occupation: $140,230.00
- Cost of living rank (#1 is the lowest and #50 is the highest): 10
- Cost-of-living-adjusted median annual salary for occupation: $150,045.10
- Cost of living compared to U.S. average: -12.47% less than U.S. average
11. Hawaii
- Median annual salary for occupation: $141,250.00
- Cost of living rank (#1 is the lowest and #50 is the highest): 49
- Cost-of-living-adjusted median annual salary for occupation: $125,939.91
- Cost of living compared to U.S. average: -10.84% less than U.S. average
10. Kansas
- Median annual salary for occupation: $143,830.00
- Cost of living (#1 is the lowest and #50 is the highest): 11
- Cost-of-living-adjusted median annual salary for occupation: $158,269.09
- Cost of living compared to U.S. average: 10.04% greater than U.S. average
9. Ohio
- Median annual salary for occupation: $146,020.00
- Cost of living (#1 is the lowest and #50 is the highest): 16
- Cost-of-living-adjusted median annual salary for occupation: $158,504.71
- Cost of living compared to U.S. average: 8.55% greater than U.S. average
8. New Jersey
- Median annual salary for occupation: $147,620.00
- Cost of living (#1 is the lowest and #50 is the highest): 48
- Cost-of-living-adjusted median annual salary for occupation: $133,080.91
- Cost of living compared to U.S. average: -9.85% less than U.S. average
7. Minnesota
- Median annual salary for occupation: $156,870.00
- Cost of living (#1 is the lowest and #50 is the highest): 30
- Cost-of-living-adjusted median annual salary for occupation: $160,443.50
- Cost of living compared to U.S. average: 2.28% greater than U.S. average
6. Texas
- Median annual salary for occupation: $157,310.00
- Cost of living (#1 is the lowest and #50 is the highest): 29
- Cost-of-living-adjusted median annual salary for occupation: $161,223.87
- Cost of living compared to U.S. average: 2.49% greater than U.S. average
5. New York
- Median annual salary for occupation: $159,200.00
- Cost of living (#1 is the lowest and #50 is the highest): 44
- Cost-of-living-adjusted median annual salary for occupation: $147,102.39
- Cost of living compared to U.S. average: -7.60% less than U.S. average
4. Colorado
- Median annual salary for occupation: $159,580.00
- Cost of living (#1 is the lowest and #50 is the highest): 39
- Cost-of-living-adjusted median annual salary for occupation: $155,920.83
- Cost of living compared to U.S. average: -2.29% less than U.S. average
3. Georgia
- Median annual salary for occupation: $163,550.00
- Cost of living (#1 is the lowest and #50 is the highest): 26
- Cost-of-living-adjusted median annual salary for occupation: $170,366.76
- Cost of Living compared to U.S. average: 4.17% greater than U.S. average
2. New Hampshire
- Median annual salary for occupation: $166,570.00
- Cost of living (#1 is the lowest and #50 is the highest): 45
- Cost-of-living-adjusted median annual salary for occupation: $153,837.39
- Cost of living compared to U.S. average: -7.64% less than U.S. average
1. Virginia
- Median annual salary for occupation: $169,940.00
- Cost of living (#1 is the lowest and #50 is the highest): 37
- Cost-of-living-adjusted median annual salary for occupation: $166,308.38
- Cost of living compared to U.S. average: -2.14% less than U.S. average
It’s fascinating how the compensation for air traffic controllers can vary so widely from state to state, painting a vivid picture of each state’s economic landscape. For those intrigued by the nuances of state-specific knowledge, deep your exploration with this jeopardy quiz: Think you know the states.
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