Prevailing Wage for Air Traffic Controllers
Prevailing wage for Air Traffic Controllers (SOC 53-2021) is set by the DOL across four experience levels, and the floor varies significantly by worksite city. Whether your offer uses the title Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS), Air Traffic Controller (ATC), or Control Tower Operator, the same SOC and wage floor apply. Location drives wide variation in where the minimum sits.
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Entry-level controllers with limited independent experience, typically new to a facility or transitioning from training. The employer expects close supervision and the candidate is still developing proficiency on assigned sectors or positions.
Qualified controllers who handle routine assignments with limited oversight. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Air Traffic Controllers, covering candidates certified on multiple positions who work without constant supervision.
Experienced controllers who manage complex traffic situations and may assist in training others. These professionals bring facility-specific expertise and handle non-routine or high-density traffic with minimal guidance.
Fully competent controllers at the senior or lead scope, including Certified Professional Controllers (CPCs) in supervisory or specialist roles. They set standards, handle the most complex airspace, and may manage facility-wide operational decisions.
Prevailing Wage for Air Traffic Controllers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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Check whether your title aliases a different SOC
Titles like Center Air Traffic Controller or Enroute ATC are sometimes filed under broader transportation SOCs rather than 53-2021, which sets a different wage floor. Confirm your LCA references SOC 53-2021 specifically before accepting an offer.
Account for the facility tier when reading metro wages
Air Traffic Controller wages vary sharply by facility complexity, not just city. A Dallas TRACON posting carries a much higher prevailing wage than a smaller regional tower in the same metro, so verify the specific worksite address on the LCA.
Watch for government-contractor versus FAA direct distinctions
Contract tower employers and FAA direct-hire positions use different compensation structures. Signing bonuses and per-diem allowances common in contract roles are excluded from the prevailing wage calculation, so base salary alone must clear the DOL floor.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsors with ATC filing history
Air Traffic Controller sponsorships are concentrated among a small set of contract tower operators and defense contractors. Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored this role, helping you focus outreach on companies that have already filed for ATC positions.
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Find Jobs for Air Traffic ControllersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 53-2021.00 alongside Air Traffic Controllers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) Prevailing Wage
Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) Prevailing Wage
Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) positions fall under SOC 53-2021.00 (Air Traffic Controllers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Air Traffic Controller (ATC) Prevailing Wage
Air Traffic Controller (ATC) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Air Traffic Controller (ATC) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-2021.00 (Air Traffic Controllers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Center Air Traffic Controller (Center ATC) Prevailing Wage
Center Air Traffic Controller (Center ATC) Prevailing Wage
Center Air Traffic Controller (Center ATC) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-2021.00 (Air Traffic Controllers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Certified Professional Controller (CPC) Prevailing Wage
Certified Professional Controller (CPC) Prevailing Wage
Certified Professional Controller (CPC) positions fall under SOC 53-2021.00 (Air Traffic Controllers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Control Tower Operator Prevailing Wage
Control Tower Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Control Tower Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-2021.00 (Air Traffic Controllers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Enroute Air Traffic Controller (Enroute ATC) Prevailing Wage
Enroute Air Traffic Controller (Enroute ATC) Prevailing Wage
Enroute Air Traffic Controller (Enroute ATC) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-2021.00 (Air Traffic Controllers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Radar Air Traffic Controller Prevailing Wage
Radar Air Traffic Controller Prevailing Wage
Radar Air Traffic Controller positions fall under SOC 53-2021.00 (Air Traffic Controllers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Terminal Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal ATC Specialist) Prevailing Wage
Terminal Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal ATC Specialist) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Terminal Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal ATC Specialist) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-2021.00 (Air Traffic Controllers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Tower Air Traffic Controller (Tower ATC) Prevailing Wage
Tower Air Traffic Controller (Tower ATC) Prevailing Wage
Tower Air Traffic Controller (Tower ATC) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-2021.00 (Air Traffic Controllers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Air Traffic Controllers?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate prevailing wages for each occupation by metropolitan area. For Air Traffic Controllers under SOC 53-2021, OFLC publishes four wage levels derived from the regional wage distribution. Employers must pay at least the level that matches the actual duties and experience required for the sponsored position.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify mine?
Level 1 covers entry-level positions with close supervision and limited independent authority. Level 2 applies to qualified controllers handling routine assignments with minimal oversight and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 covers experienced controllers managing complex traffic. Level 4 applies to senior or lead professionals such as Certified Professional Controllers in specialist roles. Your level should match the actual duties described in the job offer, not just the title.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Air Traffic Controller role differ so much by city?
OFLC calculates prevailing wages from regional OES surveys, so the wage floor reflects local labor market conditions in the worksite metro. Dense airspace markets like Dallas or Minneapolis command higher wages than smaller metros because local facilities compete for qualified controllers. The LCA must list the actual worksite city, and that city determines which regional wage applies, even if the employer is headquartered elsewhere.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored ATC position?
An employer cannot certify an LCA with a wage below the DOL prevailing wage floor for the worksite and level. If the offered base salary falls short, OFLC will not certify the LCA and the H-1B or E-3 petition cannot proceed. A below-floor offer must be corrected before filing. This is not a negotiating tactic; it is a legal certification requirement, and USCIS may issue a request for evidence if there is a discrepancy.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for an Air Traffic Controller position in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up SOC 53-2021 for your target metro and experience level. Select the relevant metropolitan area and confirm the wage level matches the duties in your offer letter. You can also review the employer's public LCA disclosure on the OFLC disclosure data portal to see what wage level was certified for past filings. Migrate Mate lists employers with a documented history of sponsoring Air Traffic Controller roles, giving you a starting point for identifying which companies actively file LCAs for this occupation.
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