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 $25,000in 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 4

Joanne Sanchez-Rivera

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$69,537

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $69,537
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $69,537
Pay grade: Id
Work city: San Juan
Work state: No Data Reported

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $69,537
Basic Pay (before locality): $59,525
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: RQ0930000
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Joanne Sanchez-Rivera serves as a Air Traffic Control based in San Juan, No Data Reported. Their 2024 pay totaled $69,537. They are classified at grade Id.

Kyle Rosier

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$68,446

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $68,446
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $68,446
Pay grade: Dg
Work county: Summit
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $68,446
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,099
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 390000153
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Kyle Rosier is a Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Ohio. 2024 total compensation came to $68,446. They are classified at grade Dg.

Karsten Treu

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$68,446

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $68,446
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $68,446
Pay grade: Dg
Work county: Summit
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $68,446
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,099
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 390000153
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Karsten Treu serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Ohio. Their 2024 pay totaled $68,446. They are classified at grade Dg.

Brian Ortiz

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$68,445

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $68,445
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $68,445
Pay grade: Dc
Work county: Summit
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $68,445
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,098
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 390000153
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Brian Ortiz holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Ohio. In 2024, their total compensation was $68,445. Their pay grade is Dc.

Edward Jernigan

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$67,958

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $67,958
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $67,958
Pay grade: Dg
Work city: Dayton
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $67,958
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,099
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 392090113
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Edward Jernigan holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Dayton, Ohio. In 2024, their total compensation was $67,958. Their pay grade is Dg.

Don Arevalo

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$67,808

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $67,808
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $67,808
Pay grade: Hd
Work city: Barrigada
Work state: No Data Reported

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $67,808
Basic Pay (before locality): $58,045
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: GQ0250000
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Don Arevalo serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Barrigada, No Data Reported. Their 2024 pay totaled $67,808. They are classified at grade Hd.

Michael Carnero

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Kc
Work city: Fremont
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061364001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Michael Carnero serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Fremont, California. Their 2024 pay totaled $66,572. They are classified at grade Kc.

Gavin Gould-Tharp

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Kc
Work city: Fremont
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061364001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Gavin Gould-Tharp serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Fremont, California. Their 2024 pay totaled $66,572. They are classified at grade Kc.

Joseph Vanderwood

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Ec
Work city: Monterey
Work county: Monterey
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062250053
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Joseph Vanderwood is a Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Monterey, California. 2024 total compensation came to $66,572. They are classified at grade Ec.

Matt Schoeneman

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Fc
Work city: Hayward
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061560001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Matt Schoeneman works as a Air Traffic Control for Department of Transportation based in Hayward, California. Matt earned $66,572 in 2024. Their pay grade is Fc.

Choi Wong

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Kc
Work city: Fremont
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061364001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Choi Wong holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Fremont, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $66,572. Their pay grade is Kc.

Isaac Allender

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Kc
Work city: Fremont
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061364001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Isaac Allender is a Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Fremont, California. 2024 total compensation came to $66,572. They are classified at grade Kc.

Ethan Alvarez

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Kc
Work city: Fremont
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061364001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Ethan Alvarez works as a Air Traffic Control for Department of Transportation based in Fremont, California. Ethan earned $66,572 in 2024. Their pay grade is Kc.

Jeffrey Dunbar

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Kc
Work city: Fremont
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061364001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Jeffrey Dunbar works as a Air Traffic Control for Department of Transportation based in Fremont, California. Jeffrey earned $66,572 in 2024. Their pay grade is Kc.

David Imeri

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Kc
Work city: Fremont
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061364001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

David Imeri works as a Air Traffic Control for Department of Transportation based in Fremont, California. David earned $66,572 in 2024. Their pay grade is Kc.

Lydia Kung

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Kc
Work city: Fremont
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061364001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Lydia Kung holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Fremont, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $66,572. Their pay grade is Kc.

Trevor Kuttler

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Kc
Work city: Fremont
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061364001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Trevor Kuttler works as a Air Traffic Control for Department of Transportation based in Fremont, California. Trevor earned $66,572 in 2024. Their pay grade is Kc.

Si Li

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Kc
Work city: Fremont
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061364001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Si Li works as a Air Traffic Control for Department of Transportation based in Fremont, California. Si earned $66,572 in 2024. Their pay grade is Kc.

Alex Ramos

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Ec
Work city: Napa
Work county: Napa
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062330055
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Alex Ramos holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Napa, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $66,572. Their pay grade is Ec.

Troy Reed

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Kc
Work city: Fremont
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061364001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Troy Reed serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Fremont, California. Their 2024 pay totaled $66,572. They are classified at grade Kc.

Sean Rogers

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Kc
Work city: Fremont
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061364001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Sean Rogers is a Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Fremont, California. 2024 total compensation came to $66,572. They are classified at grade Kc.

Jaskaran Singh

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Kc
Work city: Fremont
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061364001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Jaskaran Singh holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Fremont, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $66,572. Their pay grade is Kc.

Eirlys Willis

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Kc
Work city: Fremont
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061364001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Eirlys Willis holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Fremont, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $66,572. Their pay grade is Kc.

Michael Woldezghi

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Kc
Work city: Fremont
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061364001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Michael Woldezghi serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Fremont, California. Their 2024 pay totaled $66,572. They are classified at grade Kc.

Andrew Young

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$66,572

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $66,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,572
Pay grade: Kc
Work city: Fremont
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,572
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,782
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061364001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Andrew Young holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Fremont, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $66,572. Their pay grade is Kc.

Parker Raimondo

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$65,535

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $65,535
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $65,535
Pay grade: Dg
Work city: Grand Canyon
Work county: Coconino
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $65,535
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,099
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040223005
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Parker Raimondo serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Grand Canyon, Arizona. Their 2024 pay totaled $65,535. They are classified at grade Dg.

Carson Schurlknight

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$65,335

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $65,335
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $65,335
Pay grade: Lc
Work city: Leesburg
Work county: Loudoun
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $65,335
Basic Pay (before locality): $49,028
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 511440107
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Carson Schurlknight serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Leesburg, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $65,335. They are classified at grade Lc.