Air Traffic Controllers Salary in Los Angeles, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Median annual salary $169,230 +17% vs national
Median hourly $81.36
10th percentile $62,170
90th percentile $221,890
Employed locally 670
National median $144,580

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Type a city below to see how Los Angeles, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Air Traffic Controllers
in
Los Angeles, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,170
    25th
    $104,210
    50th (median)
    $169,230
    75th
    $203,840
    90th
    $221,890

    Los Angeles economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,525 2023 • Census ACS
    Air Traffic Controllers salary vs area income 181% Median Air Traffic Controllers salary is 81% 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
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $192,500
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $188,930
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $184,930
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $181,200
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $171,910
    California $152,010

    Related occupations in Los Angeles, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $39,200
    Stockers and Order Fillers $38,450
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $59,560
    Light Truck Drivers $44,330
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $36,370
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $61,760

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Air Traffic Controllers make per hour in Los Angeles?

    The median hourly wage for Air Traffic Controllers in Los Angeles, CA is $81.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $108.50 or more per hour.

    Is Los Angeles above or below average for Air Traffic Controllers salaries?

    The median Air Traffic Controllers salary in Los Angeles, CA is 17% 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 Los Angeles?

    Entry-level Air Traffic Controllers (10th percentile) earn around $62,170 per year in Los Angeles, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $104,210.