SOC 53-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Air Traffic Controllers — North Dakota
North Dakota
At $107,990, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Air Traffic Controllers, 27.1% beneath the national figure of $148,080.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $107,990, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Air Traffic Controllers, 27.1% beneath the national figure of $148,080. Pay ranges from under $58,470 at the tenth percentile to more than $147,410 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $81,720 to $133,660.
The area has 100 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.69 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. North Dakota ranks number 36th out of 43 states by median pay for this occupation. Of the 556 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 49th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,470 | −60.5% |
| 25th | $81,720 | −44.8% |
| Median (50th) | $107,990 | −27.1% |
| 75th | $133,660 | −9.7% |
| 90th | $147,410 | −0.5% |
| Mean | $106,930 | −27.8% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Dakota run 11.0% below the national average, so the median of $107,990 goes as far as $121,337 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$107,990as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$121,337US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $107,990 a year, 27.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $58,470 to $147,410 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 100 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 36th of 43 states for this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Air Traffic Controllers in North Dakota?
The median annual wage is $107,990, or $51.92 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 North Dakota is 27.1% lower. 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 North Dakota earns more than $147,410 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $58,470 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 100 jobs in this occupation in North Dakota. 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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