Air Traffic Controller Salary in Pennsylvania: $171,617 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median air traffic controller pay sits at $171,617/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 53-2021. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $176,198 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Philadelphia ($198,590), Pittsburgh ($148,455), Bethlehem ($146,266).
For those considering a career as an air traffic controller in Pennsylvania, the salary landscape is promising. The average median salary in the state is projected to be $171,617 in 2026, which is 13.0% higher than the national median of $151,886. Philadelphia stands out as the highest-paying city, with an expected salary of $203,694, while West Chester has the lowest at $138,498, indicating a significant salary gap of $65,196 driven by factors such as cost of living, airport traffic, and the complexity of operations in metropolitan areas. Currently, Pennsylvania has a total of 497 air traffic controllers, and projected demand continues to grow, with an annual growth rate of 2.57%. State-specific factors include licensing requirements that are regulated federally, as well as local demand driven by air travel trends and economic conditions. Major cities like Pittsburgh, Bethlehem, Scranton, and Allentown also show competitive salaries, with projections of $152,270, $150,025, $149,521, and $146,792 respectively. The job market for air traffic controllers in Pennsylvania is supported by ongoing investments in aviation infrastructure, making it a viable choice for aspiring professionals.
Pennsylvania Air Traffic Controller Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $80,923 (lowest entry-level) to $231,480 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania air traffic controllers earn 12.99% more than the national median (+$19,731/year difference).
Pennsylvania Air Traffic Controller Salary Distribution (2026)
Air Traffic Controller salaries in Pennsylvania range from $90,105 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $220,359 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $171,617. The Pennsylvania median is $19,731 above the US national median of $151,886. The average hourly rate is $82.51/hr. Approximately 497 air traffic controllers are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$149,890
2025 BLS Actual
$167,317
2026 Current Est.
$171,617
2019–2027 Growth
+17.4%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $149,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $143,283 | Actual |
| 2022 | $165,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $174,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $150,761 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,317 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,617 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,028 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 11.6% from $149,890 (2019) to $167,317 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,028 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,138 (17.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.57% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| West Chester | $138,498 |
| Pottstown | $139,522 |
| Johnstown | $140,646 |
| Easton | $141,036 |
| State College | $141,071 |
Best Value Cities for Air Traffic Controllers in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for air traffic controllers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $203,694 | 102.554 | $198,621 |
| Pittsburgh | $152,270 | 97.4 | $156,335 |
| Bethlehem | $150,025 | 97.4 | $154,030 |
| Scranton | $149,521 | 97.4 | $153,512 |
| Allentown | $146,792 | 97.4 | $150,710 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $90,105 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $171,617 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $220,359 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $203,694 |
| 2 | Pittsburgh | $152,270 |
| 3 | Bethlehem | $150,025 |
| 4 | Scranton | $149,521 |
| 5 | Allentown | $146,792 |
| 6 | Williamsport | $146,547 |
| 7 | Reading | $145,854 |
| 8 | Lebanon | $145,754 |
| 9 | Wilkes-Barre | $145,582 |
| 10 | Erie | $145,116 |
| 11 | Lancaster | $144,354 |
| 12 | Hazleton | $143,562 |
| 13 | Norristown | $143,286 |
| 14 | Chester | $142,953 |
| 15 | Harrisburg | $142,889 |
| 16 | Altoona | $142,368 |
| 17 | New Castle | $141,535 |
| 18 | Chambersburg | $141,458 |
| 19 | York | $141,162 |
| 20 | State College | $141,071 |
| 21 | Easton | $141,036 |
| 22 | Johnstown | $140,646 |
| 23 | Pottstown | $139,522 |
| 24 | West Chester | $138,498 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore air traffic controller hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced air traffic controllers.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Air Traffic Controller Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for air traffic controllers in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania air traffic controller pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level air traffic controller salary in Pennsylvania?
How many air traffic controllers are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania city offers the best value for air traffic controllers?
Written by Jordan Lee, ATO
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience as an air traffic controller. He specializes in terminal area control at a major airport.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 air traffic controller compensation across Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more air traffic controllerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.57%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov