Air Traffic Controllers Salary in Seattle, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Median annual salary $169,350 +17.1% vs national
Median hourly $81.42
10th percentile $84,120
90th percentile $213,100
Employed locally 500
National median $144,580

Compare Air Traffic Controllers salary & buying power

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Air Traffic Controllers
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Seattle, WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $84,120
    25th
    $121,970
    50th (median)
    $169,350
    75th
    $195,080
    90th
    $213,100

    Seattle economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Air Traffic Controllers salary vs area income 150% Median Air Traffic Controllers salary is 50% 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
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $180,090
    Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $178,310
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $176,110
    Washington $164,070
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $145,140
    Hawaii $142,040

    Related occupations in Seattle, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers$44,410
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$47,660
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$69,290
    Light Truck Drivers$48,210
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$72,170
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$52,450

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Air Traffic Controllers in Seattle, WA is $81.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $103.77 or more per hour.

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

    The median Air Traffic Controllers salary in Seattle, WA is 17.1% 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 Seattle?

    Entry-level Air Traffic Controllers (10th percentile) earn around $84,120 per year in Seattle, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $121,970.