Air traffic controllers didn't get paid during the government shutdown. Here's how much they make normally.

November 15, 2025 at 10:01 AM•2 min read•Taylor Rains

US air traffic controllers experienced pay disruptions during the government shutdown, prompting debate over their compensation, which ranges from $55,000 to $225,700 based on experience and facility complexity.

Key Points

1Air traffic controllers went unpaid during the US government shutdown, raising concerns about their financial stability.
2Transportation Secretary's claims about controller salaries were disputed by the NATCA union.
3Controller pay ranges from $55,000 to $225,700 based on experience, facility level, and cost of living.
4New controllers start between $55,000 and $68,000, regardless of facility level.
5The FAA Academy training program has a high attrition rate and significant training costs.
6The US air traffic control system faces a shortage of approximately 3,000 controllers.

The recent US government shutdown highlighted the financial strain on air traffic controllers, who went unpaid for over a month, sparking renewed scrutiny of their compensation structure. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's claims of starting salaries at $180,000 and potential earnings up to $400,000 were disputed by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), which clarified that new hires typically start in the mid-five figures. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics indicates the mean annual wage for controllers is approximately $137,000. The FAA's pay scale reveals a wide range, from $55,000 to $225,700, influenced by experience, facility level (4 to 12), and cost-of-living adjustments.

New controllers, regardless of facility level, start between $55,000 and $68,000, with higher pay in expensive areas like San Francisco. Overtime is often mandatory, with controllers working up to 10 hours a day and six days a week. The FAA Academy training program has a high attrition rate of around 40%, costing approximately $100,000 per candidate. The shortage of approximately 3,000 controllers exacerbates the pressure on the existing workforce.

After graduating from the FAA Academy, controllers undergo extensive on-the-job training at various facilities, including airport towers, Terminal Radar Approach Control facilities (TRACONs), and Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs). Pay increases as controllers complete training milestones and facility levels rise. For example, a Level 4 tower in Erie, Pennsylvania, starts at $55,000, while a Level 12 facility like Chicago O'Hare's tower can reach $225,700. Controllers at ARTCCs, which handle high traffic volumes, earn higher pay to compensate for the increased workload.

Incentive pay is also provided for working at hard-to-staff facilities, along with premium pay for overtime, night shifts, Sundays, and holidays. Despite the potential for high earnings, controllers spend several years at lower pay levels before reaching higher tax brackets. The shutdown exposed the financial vulnerability of some controllers, with some resorting to gig work to make ends meet, highlighting the need for fair compensation and improved working conditions within the air traffic control system.