Air Traffic Controllers Salary in Detroit, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Median annual salary $178,310 +23.3% vs national
Median hourly $85.73
10th percentile $100,210
90th percentile $214,340
Employed locally 180
National median $144,580

Compare Air Traffic Controllers salary & buying power

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Air Traffic Controllers
in
Detroit, MI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $100,210
    25th
    $119,240
    50th (median)
    $178,310
    75th
    $196,810
    90th
    $214,340

    Detroit economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $75,123 2023 • Census ACS
    Air Traffic Controllers salary vs area income 237% Median Air Traffic Controllers salary is 137% 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
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $181,200
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $178,920
    Minnesota $176,030
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $164,240
    Missouri $115,440
    Michigan $113,650

    Related occupations in Detroit, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers $37,380
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $39,790
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $55,830
    Light Truck Drivers $41,530
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $46,620
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $60,170

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Air Traffic Controllers in Detroit, MI is $85.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $103.05 or more per hour.

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

    The median Air Traffic Controllers salary in Detroit, MI is 23.3% 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 Detroit?

    Entry-level Air Traffic Controllers (10th percentile) earn around $100,210 per year in Detroit, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $119,240.