Air Traffic Controller Salaries
See exactly what controllers earn at every FAA facility
Salary Calculator
An air traffic controller's pay depends on the facility, their certification level, and their progress through the pay band. Overtime and other premium pay add more on top.
Pick any FAA facility to see its pay bands, the factors behind them, and the full math for each figure. Pay bands come from the official Air Traffic Specialized Pay Plan for 2026, with locality rates set by OPM.
Select a facility above for its exact pay bands and the math behind each number.
What Controllers Earn
Controllers are concentrated at the busiest, highest-paying facilities. Here is the full range of CPC pay across the workforce, from a new controller's starting pay to the top of the band at the busiest facilities.
Each facility's controllers spread across its CPC pay band (locality pay and any differentials included), weighted by how many work there. Where a controller falls within the band depends on tenure. Does not include overtime or other premium pay.
Top-Paying Facilities
- N90 - New York TRACON $245,754
- ORD - Chicago O'Hare Tower $245,754
- ZNY - New York ARTCC $245,754
- JFK - Kennedy Tower $244,909
- LGA - La Guardia Tower $244,909
- ZOA - Oakland ARTCC $244,909
- SFO - San Francisco Tower $244,066
- C90 - Chicago TRACON $242,203
- EWR - Newark Tower $242,203
- LAX - Los Angeles Tower $241,696
CPC maximum Total Pay. Ties are listed alphabetically.
All of these exceed the $228,000 federal pay cap. The cap covers only Basic Pay plus Locality Pay; differentials such as CIP are paid on top of the cap.
Average Salary, All Facilities
According to U.S. Department of Labor wage data for May 2025, federal air traffic controllers earned the following:
| Category | Hourly | Salary | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest 10% | > | $104.26 | > | $217,590 |
| Median | $74.87 | $156,250 | ||
| Average | $72.64 | $151,590 | ||
| Lowest 10% | < | $40.85 | < | $85,260 |
These wages include locality pay and incentives such as CIP, but not premium pay for overtime, nights, Sundays, or holidays. Hourly rates are the annual figures divided by 2,087 federal work hours.
Premium Pay, All Facilities
Premium pay is given to air traffic controllers for working nights, weekends, holidays, etc.
| Type | Premium Amount |
|---|---|
| Holidays | + 100% |
| Overtime | + 50% |
| Sundays | + 25% |
| On-the-job training instructor | + 25% |
| Nights (6PM-6AM) | + 10% |
| Controller-in-charge | + 10% |
These amounts accumulate when more than one condition applies. The total amount of premium pay earned will vary based on the staffing level and operating hours of a facility. At a 24/7/365 facility, a controller may be able to expect an additional 10-15% added to their wages as premium pay.
For holidays, see the 2026 FAA Payroll and Holiday Calendar.