Exploring The Financial Flight Path With Air Traffic Controller Salary
As a Flight Operations Officer, I could work closely with our fellow air traffic controllers for many years. And I learned a lot about them, the important role they play in the aviation system in the country, and I even learned about their pay. In this article, I will share with you details on air traffic controller salary, career progression, and what affects their pay in different places and organizations.
Journey of air traffic controller salary from trainee to top earner
I remember when air traffic controller colleagues were telling me how they became an ATC and what their air traffic controller jobs salary was like. Most of them came fresh out of college with a degree in aviation management. They said that they have to complete an extremely hard training program first. Some of them completed it through Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Academy and some from a Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program.
Since I was curious about air traffic controller salaries, I asked them, “Are air traffic controllers well paid?” They said that since they were just building their foundation, their air traffic controller trainee salary was modest. Their air traffic controller starting salary was about $32,552 – $33,637 during the FAA Academy training. They said it was not a lot compared to the demanding training they went through, but it was a start. As trainees, they had to quickly learn so much information, develop sharp decision-making skills, and manage stress effectively. And their washout rate was high, as 30% of the students could only graduate from the academy most of the time.
Completing graduation
After they completed the FAA Academy, they were assigned to on-the-job training at a facility. There, their annual salary rose up to $41,101, and they got other applicable locality pay. They also said that once they got fully certified, they got another pay raise. When I asked what the air traffic control specialist salary is like, they said that ATC specialists qualify for a larger salary based on their facility location and airspace complexity they manage. For example, air traffic controllers in Atlanta get a higher pay rate because they deal with substantially more flights than controllers at smaller regional airports. A supervisory air traffic control specialist in Wichita, Kan. earns between $117,971 and $153,361 as the starting pay.
Air Force and FAA air traffic controller salaries
Although I mostly work with civilian ATCs, I had the opportunity to interact with controllers from the Air Force and the FAA in the past few years. Their salary structures are quite different from civilian air traffic controller jobs salary.
In the Air Force, ATCs are enlisted personnel. Their rank and years of service affect their salary. As for the air force air traffic control salary, they earn between $63K and $103K/yr. As military ATCs, they also get housing allowances, healthcare, and education benefits as extra benefits. These benefits increase their overall compensation.
FAA air traffic controllers have a more structured pay scale. FAA air traffic controller salary range from around $50,000 for trainees to over $180,000 for experienced controllers. They also get other benefits. They get a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave from the FAA.
Geographic variations in salary
What is the highest paid air traffic controller? Looking at the air traffic controller salary by state, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports ATCs earn the highest in New Hampshire, Virginia, Illinois, and Georgia. Their yearly salaries range between $136,000 and $147,000. What about other states and countries? Let’s take a look at how much air traffic controllers earn in other states and countries like Australia and cities like Dubai next.
New York
The Big Apple has one of the busiest airspaces in the world. So, the ATCs can command top dollar. Air traffic controller salary New York annual mean wage is $139,290. And their hourly mean wage is $66.97.
Dallas and Houston
Since Texas has large airports and a busy airspace, air traffic controllers’ salaries are pretty competitive. Air traffic controller salary Dallas is between $56,556 and $187,801. And air traffic controller salary Houston is between $29,377 and $138,084.
Ohio
Though not as high as some big cities, Ohio still offers good salaries for ATCs. Air traffic controller salary Ohio range from $63,366 and $89,357.
Atlanta
For air traffic controllers Atlanta is busy as it gets. Air traffic controller salary Atlanta range from $110,664 and $197,510 for experienced controllers.
Chicago
As another major hub, Chicago offers ATC salaries similar to New York. Air traffic controller salary Chicago is between $45K and $158K for top controllers.
Florida
Florida has busy tourist spots and a complex airspace. So, it is a great place for air traffic controllers to earn some good bucks. Air traffic control salary Florida typically ranges from $46,274 to $64,732.
California
The Golden State also brings many opportunities for air traffic controllers. That is why air traffic controller salary California range between $33,913 and $84,795.
Australia
Now, let’s hop across the Pacific to Australia. Many training ATCs have questioned me about Australia. They always ask, how much are air traffic controllers paid in Australia? Air traffic controller salary in Australia are quite competitive, actually. They earn between AU$52K and AU$158K. And their average salary is AU$88,699/year.
Melbourne and Perth
In major Australian cities like Melbourne and Perth, we can see a higher ATC salary rate due to the complex airspace and cost of living. Air traffic controller salary Melbourne is AU$206,001 per year. And the air traffic controller salary Perth typically ranges from AU$97,000 to AU$153,000 per year.
Dubai
How much does ATC make in Dubai? UAE is famous for lucrative expat packages, so the Dubai ATCs also get to enjoy these exclusives with attractive salaries. Their average salary is AED 34,020 per month.
Conclusion
Air traffic controller salary is like a token of gratitude that is given to the great air traffic controllers for the prodigious responsibility and skill they carry on every day. Their experience, location, and the role they represent all add to the salary they get as an air traffic controller. But the salary itself is not the only thing air traffic controllers work for. Although they get attractive pay, the responsibility, and the satisfaction of making sure they helped everyone safely travel is a feeling that cannot be described.
