Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in North Richland Hills, TX: $81,933 (2026)

In North Richland Hills, the primary employer for air traffic controllers is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which actively recruits new controllers through various channels including off-the-street hiring announcements and partnerships with educational institutions in the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program. Applicants must meet specific criteria, such as being under 31 years old unless they are military veterans, while the position requires U.S. citizenship and the successful completion of the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA). New employees typically undergo several months of Initial Qualification Training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City before transitioning into on-the-job training at their assigned facilities. Career advancement can lead to significantly higher earnings, particularly when controllers certify as fully qualified at high-traffic en route facilities. Realistically, those in their first few years can anticipate gradual salary increases as they gain experience, aligning them with the industry's competitive compensation structure amid ongoing recruitment efforts to address staffing shortages.