verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Air Traffic Controller Salary in Colorado

Median Annual in Colorado
$177,380/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$85.28/hr
▲ 20% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Colorado

groups Employed in CO
740
public U.S. Median
$148,080
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$172,127 #7 of 43

Air Traffic Controller pay in Colorado, explained

Air traffic controllers in Colorado earn a median of $177,380 per year ($85.28 per hour), which is 20% above the national median of $148,080. Entry-level workers earn around $76,310, while the most experienced air traffic controllers reach about $213,950. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Colorado.

Is $177,380 good pay in Colorado?

Adjusted for Colorado's cost of living (which runs 103% of the U.S. average), that $177,380 is worth about $172,127 in national buying power — ranking Colorado #7 for real pay (vs #4 on the sticker number).

See the full Air Traffic Controller Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Air Traffic Controller pay by experience in Colorado

Entry level (10th pct)
$76,310
$36.69/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$177,380
$85.28/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$213,950
$102.86/hr

Air Traffic Controller pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CO
Colorado (here) $177,380 $172,127
Kansas $159,700 $177,310 +$17,680
Utah $158,310 $160,129 +$19,070
New Mexico $148,550 $161,096 +$28,830
Oklahoma $123,220 $140,273 +$54,160
Nebraska $111,710 $123,980 +$65,670
Wyoming $93,580 $100,959 +$83,800

Air Traffic Controller in Colorado: FAQ

How much do air traffic controllers make in Colorado?

Air traffic controllers in Colorado earn a median of $177,380 per year ($85.28 per hour), compared with $148,080 nationally.

Does Colorado pay air traffic controllers well?

At $177,380, Colorado pays 20% above the national median for air traffic controllers. An estimated 740 work in the state.

Air Traffic Controller salary in other states

All 43 states ranked arrow_forward

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