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
Source: Ken Levine / Getty Images
- 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
Source: mgaylard / Flickr
- 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
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Source: pedrosz / Flickr
- 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
Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images
- 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
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
- 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
Source: AUDREY SCRIPP / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Source: Bobak Ha'Eri / Wikimedia Commons
- 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
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Source: Hulton Archive/Getty Images
- 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
Source: milehightraveler / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Source: Z28scrambler / Wikimedia Commons
- 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
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- 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
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- 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.
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)
Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.
Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.
Click here now to get started.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.