How much does an air traffic controller make in Washington?
Median yearly pay for air traffic controllers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $84.07 an hour or $14,570 a month.
- Hourly
- $84.07
- Vs. national median
- +18%
- Rank among cities
- 10 of 37
- Jobs in the area
- 1,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,760 | $22.96 | |
| 25th | $47,760 | $22.96 | |
| Median | $174,900 | $84.07 | |
| 75th | $207,700 | $99.84 | |
| 90th | $225,700 | $108.50 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for air traffic controllers.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $209,800 |
| Commercial Pilot | $125,900 |
| Ship Engineer | $122,100 |
| Transportation Inspector | $97,170 |
| Captain | $94,150 |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $92,120 |
| Traffic Technician | $70,100 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Worker | $67,960 |
| Bus Driver | $65,220 |
| Motor Vehicle Operator | $64,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an air traffic controller make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $84.07 ($174,900 a year).
Do air traffic controllers make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $174,900 against $148,100 nationally, 18% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $47,760, so Washington pays 266% more.
Where does Washington rank for air traffic controller pay?
10 of 37 metro areas with data.
How much does an air traffic controller make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $47,760 or less a year; the top 10% make $225,700 or more.
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.