Air Traffic Controllers Salary in Denver, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Median annual salary $172,490 +19.3% vs national
Median hourly $82.93
10th percentile $74,160
90th percentile $221,890
Employed locally 310
National median $144,580

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Air Traffic Controllers
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Denver, CO
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $74,160
    25th
    $82,370
    50th (median)
    $172,490
    75th
    $201,180
    90th
    $221,890

    Denver economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,339 2023 • Census ACS
    Air Traffic Controllers salary vs area income 169% Median Air Traffic Controllers salary is 69% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Air Traffic Controllers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $192,500
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $188,930
    Virginia $185,890
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $184,930
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $182,890
    Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $182,310

    Nearby metros — Air Traffic Controllers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $188,930
    Colorado $172,310
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $169,350
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $156,870
    New Mexico $145,290
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $130,060

    Related occupations in Denver, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers$41,600
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$45,700
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$62,880
    Light Truck Drivers$47,770
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$66,560
    Flight Attendants$61,050

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Air Traffic Controllers make per hour in Denver?

    The median hourly wage for Air Traffic Controllers in Denver, CO is $82.93, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $106.68 or more per hour.

    Is Denver above or below average for Air Traffic Controllers salaries?

    The median Air Traffic Controllers salary in Denver, CO is 19.3% above the national median of $144,580. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Air Traffic Controllers in Denver?

    Entry-level Air Traffic Controllers (10th percentile) earn around $74,160 per year in Denver, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $82,370.