Air Traffic Controllers Salary in New York, NY-NJ

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

Median annual salary $180,090 +24.6% vs national
Median hourly $86.58
10th percentile $70,050
90th percentile $221,890
Employed locally 1,090
National median $144,580

Compare Air Traffic Controllers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how New York, NY-NJ stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Air Traffic Controllers
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $70,050
    25th
    $121,180
    50th (median)
    $180,090
    75th
    $212,580
    90th
    $221,890

    New York economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $97,334 2023 • Census ACS
    Air Traffic Controllers salary vs area income 185% Median Air Traffic Controllers salary is 85% 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
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $104,040

    Related occupations in New York, NY-NJ

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers $38,210
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $41,270
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $65,220
    Light Truck Drivers $46,870
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $42,290
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $67,090

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Air Traffic Controllers make per hour in New York?

    The median hourly wage for Air Traffic Controllers in New York, NY-NJ is $86.58, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $106.68 or more per hour.

    Is New York above or below average for Air Traffic Controllers salaries?

    The median Air Traffic Controllers salary in New York, NY-NJ is 24.6% 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 New York?

    Entry-level Air Traffic Controllers (10th percentile) earn around $70,050 per year in New York, NY-NJ. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $121,180.