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 9

Christopher House

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,650

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,650
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,650
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Plainfield
Work county: Hendricks
Work state: Indiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,650
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,065
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 183990063
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Christopher House holds the role of Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Plainfield, Indiana. In 2024, their total compensation was $135,650. Their pay grade is 14.

David Shaul

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,650

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,650
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,650
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Plainfield
Work county: Hendricks
Work state: Indiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,650
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,065
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 183990063
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

David Shaul works as a Aviation Safety for Department of Transportation based in Plainfield, Indiana. David earned $135,650 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Timothy Snyder

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,607

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,107
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,607
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Sacramento
Work county: Sacramento
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,107
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063150067
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Timothy Snyder works as a Aviation Safety for Department of Transportation based in Sacramento, California. Timothy earned $135,607 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Harold Balcerak

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,575

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $132,495
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,080
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,575
Pay grade: J
Work city: Plainfield
Work county: Hendricks
Work state: Indiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $132,495
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,389
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 183990063
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

At Department of Transportation, Harold Balcerak serves as a Aviation Safety based in Plainfield, Indiana. Their 2024 pay totaled $135,575. They are classified at grade J.

Nusret Guvercin

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,552

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $133,412
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,140
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,552
Pay grade: J
Work city: San Juan
Work state: No Data Reported

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $133,412
Basic Pay (before locality): $114,203
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: RQ0930000
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Nusret Guvercin holds the role of Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in San Juan, No Data Reported. In 2024, their total compensation was $135,552. Their pay grade is J.

Gary Ankney

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,428

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,428
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,428
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Brentwood
Work county: Allegheny
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,428
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 420860003
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Gary Ankney holds the role of Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Brentwood, Pennsylvania. In 2024, their total compensation was $135,428. Their pay grade is 13.

John Osborne

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,428

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,428
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,428
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Coraopolis
Work county: Allegheny
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,428
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 421680003
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

John Osborne holds the role of Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. In 2024, their total compensation was $135,428. Their pay grade is 13.

Patrick Blaskovich

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,408

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,408
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,408
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: Polk
Work state: Iowa

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,408
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,065
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 192260153
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Patrick Blaskovich is a Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Iowa. 2024 total compensation came to $135,408. They are classified at grade 14.

Brian Lundquist

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,408

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,408
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,408
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Ankeny
Work county: Polk
Work state: Iowa

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,408
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,065
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 190280153
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

At Department of Transportation, Brian Lundquist serves as a Aviation Safety based in Ankeny, Iowa. Their 2024 pay totaled $135,408. They are classified at grade 14.

Brett Hoben

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,408

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,408
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,408
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Bondurant
Work county: Polk
Work state: Iowa

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,408
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,065
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 190920153
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Brett Hoben works as a Aviation Safety for Department of Transportation based in Bondurant, Iowa. Brett earned $135,408 in 2024. Their pay grade is 14.

Michael Watkins

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,398

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $134,345
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,053
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,398
Pay grade: J
Work city: Columbus
Work county: Franklin
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,345
Basic Pay (before locality): $110,300
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 391800049
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Michael Watkins holds the role of Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Columbus, Ohio. In 2024, their total compensation was $135,398. Their pay grade is J.

Richard Piper

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,206

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,206
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,206
Pay grade: I
Work city: Orlando
Work county: Orange
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,206
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,739
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122360095
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

Richard Piper works as a Aviation Safety for Department of Transportation based in Orlando, Florida. Richard earned $135,206 in 2024. Their pay grade is I.

Jeffrey Hayes

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,156

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,156
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,156
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Houston
Work county: Harris
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,156
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483280201
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Jeffrey Hayes works as a Aviation Safety for Department of Transportation based in Houston, Texas. Jeffrey earned $135,156 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Thomas Ballard

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,156

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,156
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,156
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Houston
Work county: Harris
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,156
Basic Pay (before locality): $100,324
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483280201
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Thomas Ballard holds the role of Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Houston, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $135,156. Their pay grade is 13.

Steven Gustison

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,107

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,107
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,107
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Sacramento
Work county: Sacramento
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,107
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063150067
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Steven Gustison is a Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Sacramento, California. 2024 total compensation came to $135,107. They are classified at grade 14.

April Dabelow

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,094

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,094
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,094
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,094
Basic Pay (before locality): $103,275
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

At Department of Transportation, April Dabelow serves as a Aviation Safety based in Des Moines, Washington. Their 2024 pay totaled $135,094. They are classified at grade 13.

James Hampton

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,094

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,094
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,094
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,094
Basic Pay (before locality): $103,275
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

James Hampton holds the role of Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Des Moines, Washington. In 2024, their total compensation was $135,094. Their pay grade is 13.

Henry Tscha

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,094

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,094
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,094
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Des Moines
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,094
Basic Pay (before locality): $103,275
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530532033
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

At Department of Transportation, Henry Tscha serves as a Aviation Safety based in Des Moines, Washington. Their 2024 pay totaled $135,094. They are classified at grade 13.

Robert Jordan

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,066

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,066
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,066
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Minneapolis
Work county: Hennepin
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,066
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 274760053
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Robert Jordan works as a Aviation Safety for Department of Transportation based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Robert earned $135,066 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Ann Koehn

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$135,066

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $135,066
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,066
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Minneapolis
Work county: Hennepin
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $135,066
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 274760053
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Ann Koehn works as a Aviation Safety for Department of Transportation based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ann earned $135,066 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

William Crittenden

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$134,833

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $134,833
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,833
Pay grade: J
Work county: Spokane
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,833
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,065
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530000063
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FV

William Crittenden is a Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Washington. 2024 total compensation came to $134,833. They are classified at grade J.

Ronny Moon

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$134,811

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $134,811
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,811
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Irving
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,811
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483420113
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Ronny Moon is a Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Irving, Texas. 2024 total compensation came to $134,811. They are classified at grade 13.

Bobby Etheredge

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$134,811

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $134,811
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,811
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Irving
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,811
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483420113
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Bobby Etheredge is a Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Irving, Texas. 2024 total compensation came to $134,811. They are classified at grade 13.

Mark Merrill

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$134,811

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $134,811
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,811
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Irving
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,811
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483420113
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Mark Merrill holds the role of Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Irving, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $134,811. Their pay grade is 13.

John Ramirez

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$134,811

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $134,811
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,811
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Irving
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,811
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483420113
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

John Ramirez works as a Aviation Safety for Department of Transportation based in Irving, Texas. John earned $134,811 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Matthew Wetzel

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$134,811

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $134,811
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,811
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Irving
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,811
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483420113
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Matthew Wetzel works as a Aviation Safety for Department of Transportation based in Irving, Texas. Matthew earned $134,811 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Marie Whitworth

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$134,811

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $134,811
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,811
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Irving
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,811
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483420113
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

Marie Whitworth holds the role of Aviation Safety at Department of Transportation based in Irving, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $134,811. Their pay grade is 13.

John Winter

Aviation Safety/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$134,811

Sub-department: Federal Aviation Administration
Base pay: $134,811
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,811
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Irving
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $134,811
Basic Pay (before locality): $106,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 483420113
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 1825
Pay Plan (OPM): FG

At Department of Transportation, John Winter serves as a Aviation Safety based in Irving, Texas. Their 2024 pay totaled $134,811. They are classified at grade 13.