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 12

Solomon Chung

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,901

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,901
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,901
Pay grade: Dh
Work city: Beaumont
Work county: Jefferson
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,901
Basic Pay (before locality): $64,117
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 480490245
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Solomon Chung holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Beaumont, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $74,901. Their pay grade is Dh.

Amanda Thompson

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,900

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,900
Pay grade: Gh
Work city: Little Rock
Work county: Pulaski
Work state: Arkansas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $64,116
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 052320119
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Amanda Thompson holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 2024, their total compensation was $74,900. Their pay grade is Gh.

Eugene Williams

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,890

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,890
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,890
Pay grade: Id
Work city: Jacksonville
Work county: Duval
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,890
Basic Pay (before locality): $64,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 121510031
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Eugene Williams serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Jacksonville, Florida. Their 2024 pay totaled $74,890. They are classified at grade Id.

Nicholas Cicone

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,812

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,812
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,812
Pay grade: Dh
Work city: Saint Thomas
Work state: No Data Reported

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,812
Basic Pay (before locality): $64,040
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: VQ0900000
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Nicholas Cicone serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Saint Thomas, No Data Reported. Their 2024 pay totaled $74,812. They are classified at grade Dh.

Brittany Anderson

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,729

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,729
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,729
Pay grade: Jd
Work city: Albuquerque
Work county: Bernalillo
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,729
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,303
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350030001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Brittany Anderson serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Their 2024 pay totaled $74,729. They are classified at grade Jd.

Timothy Hefner

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,729

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,729
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,729
Pay grade: Jd
Work city: Albuquerque
Work county: Bernalillo
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,729
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,303
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350030001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Timothy Hefner holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 2024, their total compensation was $74,729. Their pay grade is Jd.

Samuel Blomquist

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,729

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,729
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,729
Pay grade: Jd
Work city: Albuquerque
Work county: Bernalillo
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,729
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,303
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350030001
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Samuel Blomquist serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Their 2024 pay totaled $74,729. They are classified at grade Jd.

Joshua Gallier

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,729

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,729
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,729
Pay grade: Jd
Work city: Albuquerque
Work county: Bernalillo
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,729
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,303
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350030001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Joshua Gallier holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 2024, their total compensation was $74,729. Their pay grade is Jd.

Jack Griffin

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,729

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,729
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,729
Pay grade: Jd
Work city: Albuquerque
Work county: Bernalillo
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,729
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,303
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350030001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Jack Griffin holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 2024, their total compensation was $74,729. Their pay grade is Jd.

Robert Huskins

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,729

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,729
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,729
Pay grade: Jd
Work city: Albuquerque
Work county: Bernalillo
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,729
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,303
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350030001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Robert Huskins works as a Air Traffic Control for Department of Transportation based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Robert earned $74,729 in 2024. Their pay grade is Jd.

Jared Pridemore

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,729

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,729
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,729
Pay grade: Jd
Work city: Albuquerque
Work county: Bernalillo
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,729
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,303
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350030001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Jared Pridemore is a Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 2024 total compensation came to $74,729. They are classified at grade Jd.

Gabriel Viveros-Goldammer

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,729

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,729
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,729
Pay grade: Jd
Work city: Albuquerque
Work county: Bernalillo
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,729
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,303
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350030001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Gabriel Viveros-Goldammer is a Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 2024 total compensation came to $74,729. They are classified at grade Jd.

Crystal Barnes

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,729

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,729
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,729
Pay grade: Jd
Work city: Albuquerque
Work county: Bernalillo
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,729
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,303
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350030001
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Crystal Barnes works as a Air Traffic Control for Department of Transportation based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Crystal earned $74,729 in 2024. Their pay grade is Jd.

Brian Donovan

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,587

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,587
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,587
Pay grade: Ff
Work city: Fayetteville
Work county: Cumberland
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,587
Basic Pay (before locality): $61,187
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 371670051
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Brian Donovan holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In 2024, their total compensation was $74,587. Their pay grade is Ff.

John Pytell

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,574

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,574
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,574
Pay grade: Ff
Work city: Amarillo
Work county: Potter
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,574
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 480150375
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

John Pytell works as a Air Traffic Control for Department of Transportation based in Amarillo, Texas. John earned $74,574 in 2024. Their pay grade is Ff.

John Tydings

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,574

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,574
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,574
Pay grade: Ff
Work city: Syracuse
Work county: Onondaga
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,574
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 366010067
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

John Tydings is a Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Syracuse, New York. 2024 total compensation came to $74,574. They are classified at grade Ff.

Sabino Burgos

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,574

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,574
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,574
Pay grade: Ff
Work city: Swanton
Work county: Lucas
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,574
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 397960095
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Sabino Burgos works as a Air Traffic Control for Department of Transportation based in Swanton, Ohio. Sabino earned $74,574 in 2024. Their pay grade is Ff.

Austin Deets

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,574

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,574
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,574
Pay grade: Ff
Work city: Bristol
Work county: Sullivan
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,574
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 470290163
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Austin Deets works as a Air Traffic Control for Department of Transportation based in Bristol, Tennessee. Austin earned $74,574 in 2024. Their pay grade is Ff.

Thomas Godfrey

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,574

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,574
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,574
Pay grade: Ff
Work city: Bristol
Work county: Sullivan
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,574
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 470290163
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Thomas Godfrey works as a Air Traffic Control for Department of Transportation based in Bristol, Tennessee. Thomas earned $74,574 in 2024. Their pay grade is Ff.

Louis Miller

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,574

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,574
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,574
Pay grade: Ff
Work city: West Columbia
Work county: Lexington
Work state: South Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,574
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 452790063
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Louis Miller holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in West Columbia, South Carolina. In 2024, their total compensation was $74,574. Their pay grade is Ff.

Joseph Pagliaroli

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,574

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,574
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,574
Pay grade: Ff
Work city: Augusta
Work county: Richmond
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,574
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130310245
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

At Department of Transportation, Joseph Pagliaroli serves as a Air Traffic Control based in Augusta, Georgia. Their 2024 pay totaled $74,574. They are classified at grade Ff.

Sam Wilkerson

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,574

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,574
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,574
Pay grade: Ff
Work city: Aspen
Work county: Pitkin
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,574
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080090097
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Sam Wilkerson is a Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Aspen, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $74,574. They are classified at grade Ff.

Ty Cochnauer

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,573

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,573
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,573
Pay grade: Ff
Work city: Duluth
Work county: Saint Louis
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,573
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,836
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 271900137
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Ty Cochnauer is a Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Duluth, Minnesota. 2024 total compensation came to $74,573. They are classified at grade Ff.

Peter Adams

Air Traffic Control/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$74,573

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $74,573
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,573
Pay grade: Ff
Work city: Syracuse
Work county: Onondaga
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,573
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,836
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 366010067
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 2152
Pay Plan (OPM): AT

Peter Adams holds the role of Air Traffic Control at Department of Transportation based in Syracuse, New York. In 2024, their total compensation was $74,573. Their pay grade is Ff.