Air Traffic Controller Salary in Washington
Based on 150+ workers in Washington
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (WA)
$84,050
$40.41/hr
vs National Average
$56,947
+47.6% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$51K – $119K
150 employed in Washington
Salary Distribution — Air Traffic Controller in Washington
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,520 |
| 25th percentile | $79,510 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $84,050 |
| 75th percentile | $106,380 |
| 90th percentile | $119,490 |
Top-Paying Industries for Air Traffic Controller (U.S.)
Which industries pay Air Traffic Controllers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Air Traffic Controllers in Washington tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $103,820 | — |
| Manufacturing | $88,420 | 150 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $70,590 | 160 |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $60,850 | 4K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $49,820 | 10K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Air Traffic Controller in Washington vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Washington) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $80,050 |
| 2023 | $77,500 |
| 2024 | $82,540 |
| 2025 | $84,050 |
| 2026 (projected) | $85,588 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Washington Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $80,050 | $53,742 |
| 2023 | $77,500 | $55,720 |
| 2024 | $82,540 | $55,556 |
| 2025 | $84,050 | $56,947 |
| 2026 (projected) | $85,588 | $57,989 |
Air Traffic Controller Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $79,510 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $84,050 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $106,380 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $119,490 |
Air Traffic Controller Salary in Other States
Related Air Traffic Controller Salaries in Washington
How other high-demand occupations in Washington compare to Air Traffic Controller ($84,050 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Air Traffic Controller | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilot in WA | $229,900 | +173.5% | $110.53/hr |
| Construction Supervisor in WA | $109,570 | +30.4% | $52.68/hr |
| Electrician in WA | $95,220 | +13.3% | $45.78/hr |
| Plumber in WA | $81,030 | -3.6% | $38.96/hr |
| Maintenance and Repair Worker in WA | $59,160 | -29.6% | $28.44/hr |
| Construction Laborer in WA | $57,720 | -31.3% | $27.75/hr |
| Automotive Service Technician in WA | $57,270 | -31.9% | $27.53/hr |
| Dietitian and Nutritionist in WA | $84,220 | +0.2% | $40.49/hr |
| Human Resources Specialist in WA | $84,550 | +0.6% | $40.65/hr |
| Licensed Practical Nurse in WA | $83,150 | -1.1% | $39.98/hr |
| Purchasing Agent in WA | $85,130 | +1.3% | $40.93/hr |
| Real Estate Broker in WA | $82,790 | -1.5% | $39.80/hr |