Air Traffic Controllers pay in California
In California, the median pay for air traffic controllers is $76.96 an hour ($160,080 a year). About 2,290 people work in this job there.
That is 8% higher than the U.S. median ($148,080). California ranks 8th of 43 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $38.93 | $80,960 |
| 25% of workers | $55.68 | $115,810 |
| Half of workers (median) | $76.96 | $160,080 |
| 75% of workers | $99.84 | $207,670 |
| 90% of workers | $108.50 | $225,680 |
Air Traffic Controllers pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $196,290 | 240 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $193,360 | 430 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $173,020 | 690 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $94,140 | 140 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for air traffic controllers
- Typical education to start: Associate's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +1.7% over ten years, little or no change · about 2,100 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $52,350 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $353,900 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicators | $80,120 |
| Commercial Pilots | $165,590 |
| Transportation Inspectors | $83,000 |
| Airfield Operations Specialists | $62,600 |
| Locomotive Engineers | $77,070 |
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $69,950 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.