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Occupation · SOC 53-2021

Air Traffic Controllers

There are 22,510 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $148,080 a year. The most jobs are in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV.

TransportationTypical education: Associate's degree
22,510
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$148,080
Median pay a year
Middle half: $104,520–$190,570
2,100
Annual openings
10-year change: +1.7%
Associate's degree
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 38 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $174,870 · LCA filings 01,800$174,8700
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 01,010n/a0
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $189,780 · LCA filings 0850$189,7800
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $186,640 · LCA filings 0810$186,6400
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $186,510 · LCA filings 0800$186,5100
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $162,140 · LCA filings 0720$162,1400
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $173,020 · LCA filings 0690$173,0200
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $179,670 · LCA filings 0620$179,6700
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $175,280 · LCA filings 0510$175,2800
Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, INMedian pay $171,910 · LCA filings 0470$171,9100

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDEmployment 220 · LCA filings 0$198,5902200
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAEmployment 240 · LCA filings 0$196,2902400
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 430 · LCA filings 0$193,3604300
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployment 850 · LCA filings 0$189,7808500
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAEmployment 810 · LCA filings 0$186,6408100

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $97,614 · Level III $144,206 · Level IV $190,778$51,043$97,614$144,206$190,778
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $130,790 · Level III $164,216 · Level IV $197,662$97,344$130,790$164,216$197,662
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $142,979 · Level III $174,013 · Level IV $205,026$111,966$142,979$174,013$205,026
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $151,549 · Level III $175,947 · Level IV $200,346$127,150$151,549$175,947$200,346
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $145,122 · Level III $173,077 · Level IV $201,053$117,146$145,122$173,077$201,053
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $127,525 · Level III $154,502 · Level IV $181,459$100,568$127,525$154,502$181,459
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $120,370 · Level III $156,291 · Level IV $192,234$84,427$120,370$156,291$192,234
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $141,981 · Level III $169,104 · Level IV $196,227$114,858$141,981$169,104$196,227
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $134,285 · Level III $162,947 · Level IV $191,610$105,622$134,285$162,947$191,610
Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, INLevel II $138,112 · Level III $160,763 · Level IV $183,435$115,440$138,112$160,763$183,435

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Air TransportationCIP 49.01Varies by program991Varies by program

See Air Traffic Controllers in every metro area

All 38 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Transportation

Stockers and Order FillersLaborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, HandHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversLight Truck DriversIndustrial Truck and Tractor OperatorsPackers and Packagers, HandBus Drivers, SchoolFirst-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology