U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Transportation / Air Traffic Control

Job-title file

Air Traffic Control

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

17,900 employees hold this title in Department of Transportation. Median total compensation for the role is $161,255, above the department median of $137,624.

Employees: 17,900
Total payroll: $2.7B
Role median: $161,255
Agency median: $137,624
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$35,947$228,021+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 17,900 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Air Traffic Control pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Air Traffic Controllers — about 22,510 people — is $148,080. Department of Transportation pays a median base salary of $160,587 for this role, 8% above that figure — about the 57th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Transportation sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$78,420

$104,520

$148,080

$190,570

$215,610

Department of Transportation median · $160,587

The bar is the range of annual wages for Air Traffic Controllers across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Transportation’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Computed over the 17,550 of 17,900 people in this role paid at least $25,000 in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Transportation is $161,255, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 26

Corey Day

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,968

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,968
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,968
Pay grade: Gh
Work city: Montgomery
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Alabama

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,968
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,703
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 012130101
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Corey Day is a Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Montgomery, Alabama. 2024 total compensation came to $112,968. They are classified at grade Gh.

Joseph Kliebert

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,968

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,968
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,968
Pay grade: Fh
Work city: Shreveport
Work county: Caddo
Work state: Louisiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,968
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,703
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 222130017
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Joseph Kliebert is a Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2024 total compensation came to $112,968. They are classified at grade Fh.

Omar Laboy-Pinto

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,968

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,968
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,968
Pay grade: Gh
Work city: San Juan
Work state: No Data Reported

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,968
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,703
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: RQ0930000
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Omar Laboy-Pinto is a Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in San Juan, No Data Reported. 2024 total compensation came to $112,968. They are classified at grade Gh.

Jordan Walters

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,968

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,968
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,968
Pay grade: Fh
Work city: Abilene
Work county: Taylor
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,968
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,703
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 480030441
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Jordan Walters holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Abilene, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $112,968. Their pay grade is Fh.

Travis Weisenberger

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,968

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,968
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,968
Pay grade: Fh
Work city: Swanton
Work county: Lucas
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,968
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,703
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 397960095
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Travis Weisenberger holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Swanton, Ohio. In 2024, their total compensation was $112,968. Their pay grade is Fh.

Dennis Vargas

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,956

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,956
Pay grade: Kf
Work city: Miami
Work county: Miami-Dade
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,956
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,786
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122010086
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Dennis Vargas is a Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Miami, Florida. 2024 total compensation came to $112,956. They are classified at grade Kf.

Jack Collins

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,929

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,929
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,929
Pay grade: Ih
Work city: Austin
Work county: Travis
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,929
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,115
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 480330453
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Jack Collins serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Austin, Texas. Their 2024 pay totaled $112,929. They are classified at grade Ih.

Whitney White

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,915

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,915
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,915
Pay grade: Gh
Work city: Vero Beach
Work county: Indian River
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,915
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,753
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 123070061
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Whitney White holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Vero Beach, Florida. In 2024, their total compensation was $112,915. Their pay grade is Gh.

Jennifer Sobczak

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,915

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,915
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,915
Pay grade: Gh
Work city: Fort Lauderdale
Work county: Broward
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,915
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,753
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 121050011
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Jennifer Sobczak serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Their 2024 pay totaled $112,915. They are classified at grade Gh.

Matthew Sullivan

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,915

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,915
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,915
Pay grade: Gh
Work city: Fort Lauderdale
Work county: Broward
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,915
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,753
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 121050011
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Matthew Sullivan serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Their 2024 pay totaled $112,915. They are classified at grade Gh.

Kyle Franklin

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,873

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,873
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,873
Pay grade: Hh
Work city: Kalamazoo
Work county: Kalamazoo
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,873
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,621
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 262520077
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Kyle Franklin serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Their 2024 pay totaled $112,873. They are classified at grade Hh.

Efrain Reynaga

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,857

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,857
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,857
Pay grade: Eh
Work city: Camp Springs
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,857
Basic Pay (before locality): $84,689
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240235033
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Efrain Reynaga works as a Air Traffic Control for Department of Transportation based in Camp Springs, Maryland. Efrain earned $112,857 in 2024. Their pay grade is Eh.

Taryn Llamas

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,848

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,848
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,848
Pay grade: Jh
Work city: Tampa
Work county: Hillsborough
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,848
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,600
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122950057
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Taryn Llamas is a Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Tampa, Florida. 2024 total compensation came to $112,848. They are classified at grade Jh.

Michael Clay

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,826

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,826
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,826
Pay grade: Hh
Work city: Columbus
Work county: Franklin
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,826
Basic Pay (before locality): $92,632
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 391800049
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Michael Clay is a Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Columbus, Ohio. 2024 total compensation came to $112,826. They are classified at grade Hh.

David Mctigue

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,826

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,826
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,826
Pay grade: Fh
Work city: Waterford
Work county: Oakland
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,826
Basic Pay (before locality): $87,584
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 265113125
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

David Mctigue holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Waterford, Michigan. In 2024, their total compensation was $112,826. Their pay grade is Fh.

Pamela Odea

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,826

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,826
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,826
Pay grade: Hh
Work city: Columbus
Work county: Franklin
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,826
Basic Pay (before locality): $92,632
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 391800049
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Pamela Odea holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Columbus, Ohio. In 2024, their total compensation was $112,826. Their pay grade is Hh.

Miranda Blackwelder

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,807

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,807
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,807
Pay grade: Gh
Work city: Saint Petersburg
Work county: Pinellas
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,807
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,565
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122730103
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Miranda Blackwelder holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Saint Petersburg, Florida. In 2024, their total compensation was $112,807. Their pay grade is Gh.

Gary Saladine

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,806

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,806
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,806
Pay grade: Fh
Work city: Fairfield
Work county: Essex
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,806
Basic Pay (before locality): $82,196
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 340938013
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Gary Saladine serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Fairfield, New Jersey. Their 2024 pay totaled $112,806. They are classified at grade Fh.

Dominique Houchens

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$112,792

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $112,792
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,792
Pay grade: Hh
Work city: Savannah
Work county: Chatham
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,792
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,552
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 134910051
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Dominique Houchens works as a Air Traffic Control for Department of Transportation based in Savannah, Georgia. Dominique earned $112,792 in 2024. Their pay grade is Hh.