Air Traffic Controllers Salary in Detroit, MI

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Air Traffic Controllers in Detroit, MI have a median annual salary of $178,310, with 180 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $100,210 at the 10th percentile to $214,340 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$178,310

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$85.73

Employment

180

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$100,210
10th
$119,240
25th
$178,310
Median
$196,810
75th
$214,340
90th

Local compared with national

Detroit, MI

$178,310

Median annual · 2025

United States

$148,080

Median annual · 2025

The Detroit, MI median is 20.4% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $30,230).

Top skills

  1. 1.Active ListeningImportance 4.4
  2. 2.SpeakingImportance 4.3
  3. 3.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.1
  4. 4.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 4.1
  5. 5.MonitoringImportance 4.0
  6. 6.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 4.0
  7. 7.CoordinationImportance 3.9
  8. 8.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.8
  9. 9.Active LearningImportance 3.8
  10. 10.Time ManagementImportance 3.5
  11. 11.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.4
  12. 12.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.3

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Advanced technologies and oceanic procedures ATOP
  • Automated radar terminal systems ARTS
  • Center TRACON automation systems CTAS
  • Direct-to-tool software
  • En route descent advisor EDA
  • Expedite departure path EDP software
  • Final approach spacing tool FAST
  • Flight simulation software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word

Common tasks

  • Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
  • Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.
  • Monitor, direct, or sequence the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
  • Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
  • Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement.
  • Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
  • Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
  • Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.
  • Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information.
  • Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Air Traffic Controllers salary in other locations

Other occupations in Detroit, MI