What Is the Average Air Traffic Controller Salary?
The average base salary of an air traffic controller varies greatly depending on location. According to Glassdoor, the air traffic controller salary on average is $74,700 while Indeed estimates $46,400. Salary.com suggests a salary range from $64,926 to $97,500. [1][2][3] According to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median air traffic controller salary is $122,990 per year. [4]
How Much Is the Salary of an Air Traffic Controller?
Multiple factors affect the air traffic controller average salary in the United States such as experience, certification, and location. While an air traffic controller career pays relatively well for a job that only requires an Associate’s degree, their average annual salary does vary greatly from state to state. In a list published by Forbes, these were the top 10 highest-paying states for air traffic controllers:[5]
New Hampshire – $147,350
Virginia – $139,520
Illinois – $136,390
Georgia – $136,210
Texas – $133,260
California – $132,300
Minnesota – $131,330
Ohio – $131,180
New York – $130,840
Colorado – $128,210
NATCA Union Representation
Air traffic controllers are represented by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). This labor union was certified in 1987 and is the exclusive bargaining representative for air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration. As vital contributors to the U.S. economy, air traffic controllers are represented by one of the strongest labor unions in the federal sector comprised of over 20,000 members and 17 bargaining units. The NATCA helps negotiate wages for its members, works on aviation safety initiatives, and provides numerous benefits.
Higher-end average salaries and strong union representation makes air traffic controller one of the more popular aviation jobs. Another aviation job that requires minimal training and offers a significant number of entry-level opportunities is the job of an aircraft dispatcher. While air traffic dispatchers work for individual airlines, both controllers and dispatchers are in some way responsible for ensuring safe flights.
Sheffield School of Aeronautics is one of the oldest aviation training institutions in the United States, where you can take a flight dispatcher course and obtain your FAA dispatcher license. With an outstanding reputation in the aviation industry, our aeronautics school is recognized by companies like Delta, United, KLM, American, Virgin Australia, Cayman Airways, Shanghai/China Eastern, ExpressJet, Federal Express, UPS, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, United Technologies, Mobil Oil, Gulf Air, Atlantic Southeast, Comair, Mesaba, Horizon, American Trans Air, and many others for aircraft dispatcher training. If you’re interested in becoming an aircraft dispatcher, contact us to get started: 954-581-6022.
“Eric Morris is one of the most if not the most knowledgeable and experienced authorities on Aircraft Dispatching in the United States. He strives constantly to make the industry better.” DHsidebar DH
“After receiving my certificate, I joined a class of 4 experienced dispatchers for Part 121 initial training. Without experience, my preparation at Sheffield enabled me to become active at the same time after the initial training.” PRPR
“As a graduate of Sheffield School of Aeronautics I am a firm believer that I received the most thorough and well thought out aircraft dispatcher training available. I owe my position in the industry to Sheffield School of Aeronautics.” BFSidebar BF
“I am a month into my new job at a airline coming out of reorganization, and am helping the training department by referencing the excellent and up to date course book provided to all Sheffield grads.” RWRW
” I have received 4 (job) offers…many of the interviews I have gotten have been because of my “pedigree”…going to Sheffield. I am amazed at the respect your school has….I am honored to be a graduate. Thank you for all the work you ..!” Testimonial – J. Ganci
“As a graduate of the aircraft dispatcher program at the Sheffield School of Aeronautics…My training was intense and thorough and furnished me with the requisite skills for performing my current job as a Flight Dispatch Supervisor.” N.S.Sidebar NS
“My experience at Sheffield and my exposure to other aircraft dispatchers that did not go to Sheffield has resulted in an awareness of the superior depth and quality of the training provided by the Sheffield instructors.” CDSidebar CD
“now that I’ve been in an indoctrination class with students from other schools, I know I made the right choice with Sheffield.” Kindest regards, A.R. All schools are created equal?! yeah…sure ;)
“I wanted to tell you I got the job offer from Expressjet, and start next month! I think a couple others from class were hired as well. It just shows the Sheffield reputation when I see graduates from other schools complaining that they can’t get an interview – I wasn’t even back home to Minneapolis […]Dan Gustafson
“Sheffield School of Aeronautics is a highly recognized and respected organization throughout the airline industry. They only produce the highest quality of graduate…” P.W.Sidebar PW
“While touring my company’s dispatch department before I had my license our OCC manager pointed out that 7 of the 10 dispatchers on shift had come from Sheffield. The overall consensus was that Sheffield grads were able to hit the ground running as they were better prepared.” K.O.Sidebar K.O.
“If you want to be the best, first you need to be trained by the best!” P. HillP.Hill – DHL
“I am a graduate of the Sheffield’s Dispatcher Program. I have been a Captain-Part 121 Airline, Certified Flight/Grnd Instructor, and FAA Designated Check Airman and Sim Instructor (Part 121). From my experience I would rate Sheffield School as outstanding in their field.” PTPT
“I am so glad they are like this because it made me a better dispatcher and I really appreciate their high standards. I would highly recommend Sheffield to anyone who is willing to study hard and is serious about obtaining a Dispatcher Certificate.” MCMC
Air Traffic Controller Salary
What Is the Average Air Traffic Controller Salary?
The average base salary of an air traffic controller varies greatly depending on location. According to Glassdoor, the air traffic controller salary on average is $74,700 while Indeed estimates $46,400. Salary.com suggests a salary range from $64,926 to $97,500. [1][2][3] According to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median air traffic controller salary is $122,990 per year. [4]
How Much Is the Salary of an Air Traffic Controller?
Multiple factors affect the air traffic controller average salary in the United States such as experience, certification, and location. While an air traffic controller career pays relatively well for a job that only requires an Associate’s degree, their average annual salary does vary greatly from state to state. In a list published by Forbes, these were the top 10 highest-paying states for air traffic controllers:[5]
NATCA Union Representation
Air traffic controllers are represented by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). This labor union was certified in 1987 and is the exclusive bargaining representative for air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration. As vital contributors to the U.S. economy, air traffic controllers are represented by one of the strongest labor unions in the federal sector comprised of over 20,000 members and 17 bargaining units. The NATCA helps negotiate wages for its members, works on aviation safety initiatives, and provides numerous benefits.
Higher-end average salaries and strong union representation makes air traffic controller one of the more popular aviation jobs. Another aviation job that requires minimal training and offers a significant number of entry-level opportunities is the job of an aircraft dispatcher. While air traffic dispatchers work for individual airlines, both controllers and dispatchers are in some way responsible for ensuring safe flights.
Sheffield School of Aeronautics is one of the oldest aviation training institutions in the United States, where you can take a flight dispatcher course and obtain your FAA dispatcher license. With an outstanding reputation in the aviation industry, our aeronautics school is recognized by companies like Delta, United, KLM, American, Virgin Australia, Cayman Airways, Shanghai/China Eastern, ExpressJet, Federal Express, UPS, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, United Technologies, Mobil Oil, Gulf Air, Atlantic Southeast, Comair, Mesaba, Horizon, American Trans Air, and many others for aircraft dispatcher training. If you’re interested in becoming an aircraft dispatcher, contact us to get started: 954-581-6022.
Sources:
Related Reading
Why Does the Aircraft Dispatcher Salary Start So Low?
The Difference Between an Aircraft Dispatcher and an Air Traffic Controller