SOC 53-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Air Traffic Controllers — Indianapolis
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
In Indianapolis, IN the median wage for Air Traffic Controllers is $171,910 a year, which is 16.1% higher than the national figure of $148,080.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Indianapolis, IN the median wage for Air Traffic Controllers is $171,910 a year, which is 16.1% higher than the national figure of $148,080. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $156,290 and $189,090. The lowest tenth earn under $104,780, while the highest tenth earn more than $204,210.
The area has 470 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.94 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Of the 621 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 17th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $104,780 | −29.2% |
| 25th | $156,290 | +5.5% |
| Median (50th) | $171,910 | +16.1% |
| 75th | $189,090 | +27.7% |
| 90th | $204,210 | +37.9% |
| Mean | $160,990 | +8.7% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Indianapolis run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $171,910 goes as far as $184,255 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 24.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$171,910as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$184,255US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $171,910 a year, 16.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $104,780 to $204,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 470 jobs in this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Air Traffic Controllers in Indianapolis, IN?
The median annual wage is $171,910, or $82.65 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $148,080, so pay in Indianapolis, IN is 16.1% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Indianapolis, IN earns more than $204,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $104,780 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 470 jobs in this occupation in Indianapolis, IN. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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