Air traffic controllers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$144,580
~$70/hr · ~$12,048/mo
US Jobs
24K
Slower than average
AI & Automation Risk
7/10
High Risk
AI & Automation Risk
High Risk 7/10
The core work is fundamentally digital and data-driven, involving the monitoring of radar screens and the processing of complex spatial information to ensure aircraft separation. While the high-stakes nature of safety and the need for real-time human communication with pilots provide a buffer, AI and automated systems (like NextGen) are already increasing productivity and handling more traffic per controller, leading to a very low projected growth in human employment.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GABEST VALUE | $182,310 | Average (100.5) | $181,437 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $184,930 | Average (102.5) | $180,444 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $182,890 | Average (102.5) | $178,447 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $181,200 | Average (102.4) | $177,017 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $192,500 | Above avg (109.1) | $176,458 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $178,920 | Above avg (104.3) | $171,540 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $159,120 | Below avg (93.2) | $170,724 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $166,940 | Average (99.6) | $167,535 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $158,620 | Average (97.1) | $163,282 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $172,490 | Above avg (105.8) | $163,083 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $176,110 | Above avg (109.5) | $160,768 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $188,930 | Above avg (117.6) | $160,722 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $180,090 | Above avg (112.6) | $159,874 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $155,900 | Average (98.3) | $158,619 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $142,380 | Below avg (91.4) | $155,700 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Associate's degree
10-Year Growth
+1% (Slower than average)
Hourly Rate
~$70/hr
Monthly Income
~$12,048/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)