In 2002 the average salary for an air traffic controller was $106,000.
The 10 highest paid air traffic controllers in calendar year (CY) 2002 earned between $192,000 and $214,000. In fact, over 1,000 controllers earned over $150,000 in CY 2002 (approximately 6.7 percent of the controller workforce). That number compares to only 65 controllers that earned over $150,000 in 2000 (approximately 0.4 percent of the controller workforce).
This year under terms of the NATCA collective bargaining agreement, all controllers received an automatic pay increase of 4.9 percent, regardless of their individual performance. FAA provided a similar increase to all Air Traffic field managers and supervisors.
As part of the controller pay system, FAA and NATCA entered into a national MOU providing controllers with an additional cost of living adjustment. As a result, at 111 locations, controllers receive between 1 and 10 percent in Controller Incentive Pay, which is in addition to Government-wide locality pay. In FY 2002, the total cost for this additional pay was about $27 million.
One MOU we reviewed allows controllers transferring to larger consolidated facilities to begin earning the higher salaries associated with their new positions substantially in advance of their transfer or taking on new duties. At one location, controllers received their full salary increases 1 year in advance of their transfer (in some cases going from an annual salary of around $54,000 to over $99,000). During that time, they remained in their old location, controlling the same air space, and performing the same duties.
The 10 highest paid air traffic controllers in calendar year (CY) 2002 earned between $192,000 and $214,000. In fact, over 1,000 controllers earned over $150,000 in CY 2002 (approximately 6.7 percent of the controller workforce). That number compares to only 65 controllers that earned over $150,000 in 2000 (approximately 0.4 percent of the controller workforce).
This year under terms of the NATCA collective bargaining agreement, all controllers received an automatic pay increase of 4.9 percent, regardless of their individual performance. FAA provided a similar increase to all Air Traffic field managers and supervisors.
As part of the controller pay system, FAA and NATCA entered into a national MOU providing controllers with an additional cost of living adjustment. As a result, at 111 locations, controllers receive between 1 and 10 percent in Controller Incentive Pay, which is in addition to Government-wide locality pay. In FY 2002, the total cost for this additional pay was about $27 million.
One MOU we reviewed allows controllers transferring to larger consolidated facilities to begin earning the higher salaries associated with their new positions substantially in advance of their transfer or taking on new duties. At one location, controllers received their full salary increases 1 year in advance of their transfer (in some cases going from an annual salary of around $54,000 to over $99,000). During that time, they remained in their old location, controlling the same air space, and performing the same duties.
