U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Transportation / Aviation Safety

Job-title file

Aviation Safety

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

4,127 employees hold this title in Department of Transportation. Median total compensation for the role is $142,063, above the department median of $137,624.

Employees: 4,127
Total payroll: $586.6M
Role median: $142,063
Agency median: $137,624
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$59,966$209,625+

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

How total compensation varies among the 4,127 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

Aviation Safety pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Transportation Inspectors — about 24,500 people — is $92,100. Department of Transportation pays a median base salary of $141,812 for this role, 54% above that figure — above the 90th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Transportation sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$40,330

$58,780

$92,100

$108,890

$138,670

Department of Transportation median · $141,812

The bar is the range of annual wages for Transportation Inspectors 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 4,088 of 4,127 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 $142,063, 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.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Aviation Safety is held in 7 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Transportation, the median of $142,063 ranks #4 of 7.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Department of Energy

$197,482 · 1

Nat Aeronautics and Space Administration

$169,861 · 2

Department of State

$156,051 · 2

Department of Interior

$136,912 · 27

Department of Commerce

$110,447 · 1

Department of Agriculture

$106,856 · 31

Median total compensation for the Aviation Safety role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 5

John Simpson

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$98,555

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $98,555
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,555
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Memphis
Work county: Shelby
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $98,555
Basic Pay (before locality): $84,365
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 471620157
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

John Simpson holds the role of Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Memphis, Tennessee. In 2024, their total compensation was $98,555. Their pay grade is 12.

Justin Tillery

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$98,555

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $98,555
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,555
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Helena
Work county: Lewis and Clark
Work state: Montana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $98,555
Basic Pay (before locality): $84,365
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 300590049
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Justin Tillery is a Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Helena, Montana. 2024 total compensation came to $98,555. They are classified at grade 12.

John Woods

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$98,555

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $98,555
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,555
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Orlando
Work county: Orange
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $98,555
Basic Pay (before locality): $84,365
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122360095
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

At Department of Transportation, John Woods serves as a Aviation Safety based in Orlando, Florida. Their 2024 pay totaled $98,555. They are classified at grade 12.

Dennis Wait

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$98,555

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $98,555
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,555
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Tampa
Work county: Hillsborough
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $98,555
Basic Pay (before locality): $84,365
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122950057
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Dennis Wait works as a Aviation Safety for Department of Transportation based in Tampa, Florida. Dennis earned $98,555 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Philip Turner

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$98,515

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $98,515
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,515
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Scottsdale
Work county: Maricopa
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $98,515
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040420013
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Philip Turner is a Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Scottsdale, Arizona. 2024 total compensation came to $98,515. They are classified at grade 11.

Christopher Boss

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$98,240

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $98,240
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,240
Pay grade: 12
Work city: South Portland
Work county: Cumberland
Work state: Maine

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $98,240
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 237600005
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

At Department of Transportation, Christopher Boss serves as a Aviation Safety based in South Portland, Maine. Their 2024 pay totaled $98,240. They are classified at grade 12.

Brendan Meehan

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$98,240

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $98,240
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,240
Pay grade: 12
Work city: South Portland
Work county: Cumberland
Work state: Maine

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $98,240
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 237600005
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

At Department of Transportation, Brendan Meehan serves as a Aviation Safety based in South Portland, Maine. Their 2024 pay totaled $98,240. They are classified at grade 12.

Thomas Kell

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$98,232

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $98,232
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,232
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Anchorage
Work county: Anchorage
Work state: Alaska

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $98,232
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 020130020
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Thomas Kell is a Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Anchorage, Alaska. 2024 total compensation came to $98,232. They are classified at grade 12.

Monty Seelye

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$98,232

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $98,232
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,232
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Anchorage
Work county: Anchorage
Work state: Alaska

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $98,232
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 020130020
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Monty Seelye works as a Aviation Safety for Department of Transportation based in Anchorage, Alaska. Monty earned $98,232 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Jacob Chavez

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$98,232

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $98,232
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,232
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Fairbanks
Work county: Fairbanks North Star
Work state: Alaska

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $98,232
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 020770090
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Jacob Chavez is a Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Fairbanks, Alaska. 2024 total compensation came to $98,232. They are classified at grade 12.

Bryan Turner

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$98,023

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $98,023
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,023
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Hapeville
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $98,023
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,403
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 132570121
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Bryan Turner holds the role of Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Hapeville, Georgia. In 2024, their total compensation was $98,023. Their pay grade is 12.

Eric Rodriguez

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$97,979

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $97,979
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,979
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Enfield
Work county: Capitol Planning Region
Work state: Connecticut

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $97,979
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 090229110
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Eric Rodriguez works as a Aviation Safety for Department of Transportation based in Enfield, Connecticut. Eric earned $97,979 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Kyle Davis

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$97,806

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $97,806
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,806
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Minneapolis
Work county: Hennepin
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $97,806
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 274760053
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Kyle Davis works as a Aviation Safety for Department of Transportation based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Kyle earned $97,806 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Chad Morley

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$97,806

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $97,806
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,806
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Minneapolis
Work county: Hennepin
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $97,806
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 274760053
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Chad Morley works as a Aviation Safety for Department of Transportation based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Chad earned $97,806 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Arthur Dixon

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$97,622

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $97,622
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,622
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Irving
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $97,622
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483420113
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Arthur Dixon holds the role of Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Irving, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $97,622. Their pay grade is 12.

Eric Goin

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$97,622

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $97,622
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,622
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Irving
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $97,622
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483420113
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Eric Goin works as a Aviation Safety for Department of Transportation based in Irving, Texas. Eric earned $97,622 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.