Air Traffic Controllers Salary
The median pay for a air traffic controllers in Washington is $162,570/year ($78.16/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $92K at the entry level to $209K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $159,367 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 17.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $163K get you in Washington?
About air traffic controllers
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What this looks like in Washington
Air traffic controllers pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $163K locally vs. $148K nationwide, a 10% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 18% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level air traffic controllers (10th percentile) start around $92K. Mid-career wages sit at $163K. Top earners bring in $209K or more, a $118K spread from bottom to top.
Air Traffic Controllers salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $175K | +8% | 510 |
Compare to other states
Track air traffic controllers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a air traffic controller afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $163K, rent takes 18% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for air traffic controllers in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new air traffic controllers typically earn — is $92K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,496/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 33% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is air traffic controller a high-paying job in Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $163K locally vs. $148K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for air traffic controllers?
Washington pays $163K median vs. the U.S. average of $148K — that’s +10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $159K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do air traffic controllers make in Washington?
The median is $162,570 a year, that works out to about $78 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $91,600, and experienced air traffic controllers can clear $209,270. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $163K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,156/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 18% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a air traffic controllers salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median air traffic controllers salary is worth about $159,367 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do air traffic controllers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.