How much does an air traffic controller make in California?
$160,100a year
Median yearly pay for air traffic controllers in California. That is $76.96 an hour or $13,340 a month.
- Hourly
- $76.96
- Vs. national median
- +8%
- Rank among states
- 8 of 43
- Jobs in the state
- 2,290
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $80,960Median: $160,100Highest 10%: $225,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $80,960 | $38.92 | |
| 25th | $115,800 | $55.68 | |
| Median | $160,100 | $76.96 | |
| 75th | $207,700 | $99.84 | |
| 90th | $225,700 | $108.50 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Sacramento, CA | $196,300 |
| San Francisco, CA | $193,400 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $173,000 |
| Riverside, CA | $94,140 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for air traffic controllers.
| 5. Minnesota | $176,800 |
| 6. Texas | $170,100 |
| 7. Washington | $162,600 |
| 8. California | $160,100 |
| 9. Kansas | $159,700 |
| 10. Indiana | $158,800 |
| 11. Hawaii | $158,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an air traffic controller make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $76.96 ($160,100 a year).
Do air traffic controllers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $160,100 against $148,100 nationally, 8% more.
Where does California rank for air traffic controller pay?
California ranks 8 of 43 states.
Which city in California pays air traffic controllers the most?
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA, with a median of $196,300 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.