Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Pearl City, HI: $99,891 (2026)

In Pearl City, the primary employer of entry-level air traffic controllers is the FAA, which actively recruits through various avenues including off-the-street hiring announcements and partnerships with the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI). Applicants typically need to be under 31 years of age unless they are military veterans, in which case they can apply through a specialized transfer pathway. To boost starting pay, candidates should focus on completing their qualifications, which involve U.S. citizenship, passing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA), and finishing Initial Qualification Training at the FAA Academy. While new controllers often begin under the FG (Air Traffic Control) pay scale, opportunities for salary growth are significant. Those who successfully progress to full Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status may find positions with notable pay, especially in high-traffic centers like ZNY New York Center or ZLA Los Angeles Center, where base pay can exceed $130k. New graduates should strategize their career development in the first few years, understanding that with the ongoing staffing shortages, overtime opportunities are frequent, further increasing earning potential.