Air Traffic Controllers pay in California
Air Traffic Controllers in California earn an average of $156,910 a year. That is $10,420 (7%) more than the U.S. average of $146,490. The best-paying metro area is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $179,320.
Top-paying California metro areas
Average pay for air traffic controllers by metro area. Swipe to see all 4.
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Air Traffic Controllers pay in California, charted
Pay over time
Where California air traffic controllers work
Average pay by state
California vs. neighbors
| Area | Avg. pay | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $146,490 | $70.43 |
| California | $156,910 | $75.44 |
| Nevada | $143,990 | $69.23 |
| Arizona | $140,340 | $67.47 |
Related jobs in California
Average pay, California, May 2025
Questions and answers
How much do air traffic controllers make in California?
The average is $156,910 a year, and the median is $160,080. That is $10,420 (7%) more than the U.S. average of $146,490.
What is the hourly wage in California?
$75.44 an hour on average; the median is $76.96.
Where in California do they earn the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($179,320), followed by Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA ($173,710). The lowest average among 4 metro areas with data is Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($96,750).
How does California rank?
California ranks #6 of 43 states (including D.C.) with published data for this job, by average pay.