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Air Traffic Control Instructor Salary in the United States

How much does an Air Traffic Control Instructor make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Air Traffic Control Instructor in the United States is $118,559 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

However, an Air Traffic Control Instructor's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $141,748
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $108,178 to $130,697
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $98,727
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Air Traffic Control Instructor Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Air Traffic Control Instructor Salaries

An Air Traffic Control Instructor's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Air Traffic Control Instructor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Air Traffic Control Instructor's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $107,551
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $84,526
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $116,030
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $148,138
  • Expert (over 8 years): $189,610
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Materials Management Analyst IV less than 1 year $107,551
Materials Management Supervisor 1-2 years $84,526
Air Traffic Control Instructor 2-4 years $116,030
Materials Management Senior Manager 5-8 years $148,138
Materials Management Director over 8 years $189,610

How Do Air Traffic Control Instructor Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Air Traffic Control Instructors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $131,269.
  • California: $130,771.
  • Massachusetts: $129,028.

Top Paying Cities for Air Traffic Control Instructor

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $149,538
  • San Francisco: $147,901
  • Oakland: $144,784

Air Traffic Control Instructor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Air Traffic Control Instructor roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Air Traffic Control Instructor positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Air Traffic Control Instructor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Air Traffic Control Instructor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $177,839 $85.0 50%

How Education impacts an Air Traffic Control Instructor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Air Traffic Control Instructor professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Air Traffic Control Instructor with a Bachelor's is between $118,177 and $127,368.

Air Traffic Control Instructor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Air Traffic Control Instructor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 3.9%
High School 27.1%
Associate's Degree 12.4%
Bachelor's Degree 42.6%
Master's Degree or MBA 13.2%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%
View as Graph

Air Traffic Control Instructor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Air Traffic Control Instructor's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$108,178
Average $118,559/year
$130,697
$9,015
Average $9,880/month
$10,891
$2,080
Average $2,280/week
$2,513
$52
Average $57/hour
$63
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $130,697 $10,891 $2,513 $63
Average $118,559 $9,880 $2,280 $57
25th Percentile $108,178 $9,015 $2,080 $52

Most common benefits for Air Traffic Control Instructor

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Air Traffic Control Instructor

Here are companies hiring for Air Traffic Control Instructor and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Air Traffic Control Instructor Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Air Traffic Control Instructor job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Air Traffic Control Instructor

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Air Traffic Control Instructor?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Air Traffic Control Instructor roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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