Air Traffic Controllers pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC), the median pay for air traffic controllers is $84.07 an hour ($174,870 a year). About 1,800 people work in this job there.
That is 18% higher than the U.S. median ($148,080). It is 266% higher than the District of Columbia median ($47,760).
Pay range for air traffic controllers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $22.96 | $47,760 |
| 25% of workers | $22.96 | $47,760 |
| Half of workers (median) | $84.07 | $174,870 |
| 75% of workers | $99.84 | $207,670 |
| 90% of workers | $108.50 | $225,680 |
Air Traffic Controllers pay in District of Columbia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (this page) | $174,870 | 1,800 |
District of Columbia unemployment rate: 5.7% (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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $209,750 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $57,160 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicators | $61,260 |
| Flight Attendants | $63,580 |
Other job titles for this job
Open air traffic controllers jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring air traffic controllers? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
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.