Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Santa Fe, NM: $86,496 (2026)

In Santa Fe, potential employers for recent graduates primarily include the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which hires new air traffic controllers through specific recruitment cycles. These opportunities are accessible via public bid windows, particularly appealing for applicants under 31 years old, unless they are military veterans. Graduates from FAA-affiliated Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) schools also have a pathway to employment, as do veterans utilizing the Veterans Recruitment Authority framework. Candidates must fulfill essential credentials, including US citizenship, a bachelor's degree or substantial work experience, and passing the FAA's standardized aptitude test. The professional landscape for entry-level controllers involves training at the FAA Academy for a few months, followed by facility-specific training that can take several years to complete. Realistically, as new hires acclimate to their roles within the first three years, they can anticipate salary growth within the framework of the FG pay scale, offering a promising outlook for those committed to developing their careers in air traffic control amidst a context of ongoing staffing needs and the potential for substantial overtime earnings down the line.