Air Traffic Controllers salary
in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Middle 50%
- $47,760–$207,670
- vs U.S. median
- +18%
- Metro rank
- #9 of 17
Air Traffic Controllers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro earn a median of $174,870 a year, based on BLS estimates for 1,800 jobs (May 2025). That is 18% above the U.S. median of $148,080 and 266% above the DC statewide median of $47,760. It ranks #9 of 17 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE1,800 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
Were you outpaid?
Your salary is ranked in your browser and never uploaded.
Turn your result into a raise plan.
Run the free check first for Air Traffic Controllers. If you want to act on it, the Dossier turns your result into a target number (the 75th percentile for your job and metro), the employers that report paying more (where filing data exists), a raise or counter-offer script filled in with your numbers, and a one-page summary for your manager.
- ✓ Built from BLS and DOL data
- ✓ PDF generated in your browser
- ✓ 7-day money-back guarantee
RELATED JOBS IN WASHINGTON
Questions
What is the average Air Traffic Controllers salary in Washington?
The BLS median is $174,870 a year (May 2025). Half of the 1,800 jobs pay between $47,760 and $207,670. The 10th percentile is $47,760 and the 90th is $225,680.
Is Washington a high-paying metro for Air Traffic Controllers?
That is 18% above the U.S. median of $148,080 and 266% above the DC statewide median of $47,760. It ranks #9 of 17 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
How much do Air Traffic Controllers make an hour in Washington?
About $84.07 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $174,870 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $22.96–$99.84 an hour. Straight-time pay, before overtime and shift differentials.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.