Air Traffic Controller Salary

• Updated on  1 Jul, 2025 by Kirti Mehendiratta

The salary of Air Traffic Controllers varies depending on the experience, education level, designation, and place. In India, entry-level jobs include Trainee or Junior Air Traffic Controller, which provides good salaries that rise continuously when professionals acquire experience and add more responsibility. Higher vacancies like Chief Air Traffic Controller, Deputy General Manager, and General Manager- Air Traffic Services are offered the highest salaries as these are the vacancies that take the lead and make the major, crucial decisions as to the safe and efficient air traffic management.

 

Countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, and the UAE are also among the countries that provide an attractive salary package to Air Traffic Controllers working at all levels. Career opportunities in these countries are great and offer amazing packages. A greater salary can also be availed in Metro cities in India, as their cost of living is higher.

 

Table of Contents
  1. Air Traffic Controller Salary after Experience
  2. Air Traffic Controller Salary after Different Levels of Study
  3. Air Traffic Controller Salary as per Designation
  4. Air Traffic Controller Salary in Some Top Cities
  5. Air Traffic Controller Salary Abroad
  6. Skills Acquired after MBA in Airport Management
  7. FAQs

 

Air Traffic Controller Salary after Experience

Air Traffic Controller salaries in India grow with experience, starting from trainee positions and advancing to top managerial roles. As professionals gain years of experience, their earning potential increases, reflecting greater responsibility and expertise in air traffic management.

Job Role

Experience Required

Average Salary (per annum)

Trainee Air Traffic Controller

0–1 year

INR 6–8 LPA

Junior Air Traffic Controller

1–2 years

INR 8–10 LPA

Air Traffic Controller

2–4 years

INR 10–14 LPA

Radar Controller

3–5 years

INR 12–16 LPA

Senior Air Traffic Controller

5–10 years

INR 14–20 LPA

Watch Supervisor

10+ years

INR 20–25 LPA

Chief Air Traffic Controller

10+ years

INR 25–30 LPA

Deputy General Manager (ATC Operations)

12+ years

INR 30–35 LPA

General Manager – Air Traffic Services

15+ years

INR 35–45 LPA

 

Air Traffic Controller Salary after Different Levels of Study

Salary of an Air Traffic Controller in India is not based on the experience of the people but it is also based on the level of education. Entry-level jobs may also be undertaken with a B.Sc or B.Tech degree but upper job levels may need qualifications such as M.Tech, MBA, or special ATC certification courses.

Job Role

Experience Required

Education Level Required

Average Salary (per annum)

Trainee Air Traffic Controller

0–1 year

B.Sc (Physics/Math) / B.Tech

INR 6–8 LPA

Junior Air Traffic Controller

1–2 years

B.Sc / B.Tech + ATC Training

INR 8–10 LPA

Air Traffic Controller

2–4 years

B.Sc / B.Tech + AAI Certification

INR 10–14 LPA

Radar Controller

3–5 years

B.Tech / M.Sc (Electronics/IT)

INR 12–16 LPA

Senior Air Traffic Controller

5–10 years

B.Tech / M.Tech + ATC Experience

INR 14–20 LPA

Watch Supervisor

10+ years

B.Tech / M.Tech + Advanced ATC Certification

INR 20–25 LPA

Chief Air Traffic Controller

10+ years

B.Tech / M.Tech

INR 25–30 LPA

Deputy General Manager (ATC Operations)

12+ years

B.Tech / MBA / M.Tech

INR 30–35 LPA

General Manager – Air Traffic Services

15+ years

B.Tech / M.Tech / MBA

INR 35–45 LPA

 

Air Traffic Controller Salary as per Designation

The salary earned by an Air Traffic Controller in India depends on the level of experience and also on the type of education. Entry-level jobs need a B.Sc. or B.Tech degree, but upper job levels need qualifications such as M.Tech, MBA, or special ATC certification courses. The earning capacity of professionals rise as they rise academically, as well as acquire work experience, particularly in high-level operational and managerial positions.

Job Role

Experience Required

Average Salary (per annum)

Executive – ATC Operations

0–1 year

INR 6–8 LPA

Junior Air Traffic Controller

0–1 year

INR 7–9 LPA

Assistant Air Traffic Officer

1–2 years

INR 8–10 LPA

Air Traffic Controller

2–4 years

INR 10–14 LPA

Radar Controller

3–5 years

INR 12–16 LPA

Senior Air Traffic Controller

5–10 years

INR 14–20 LPA

Watch Supervisor

5–10 years

INR 18–22 LPA

Chief Air Traffic Controller

10+ years

INR 25–30 LPA

Senior Controller – Radar Services

10+ years

INR 24–30 LPA

Manager – Air Traffic Operations

10+ years

INR 28–35 LPA

Deputy General Manager (ATC)

12+ years

INR 30–38 LPA

General Manager – ATC Services

15+ years

INR 35–45 LPA

Head – Air Navigation Services

15+ years

INR 40+ LPA

 

Air Traffic Controller Salary in Some Top Cities

The salary of an Air Traffic Controller in India depends on the city and the level of responsibility and the years of experience. Metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai pay more since the cost of living is high. The packages in entry-level jobs like Junior ATC Officer are high, and the high packages continue in senior jobs like GM - ATC Operations or as Director - Air Navigation, which are positions that are important in terms of national aviation safety and operation.

Job Role

City

Experience Required

Average Salary (per annum)

Junior ATC Officer

Mumbai

0–1 year

INR 8,00,000

ATC Executive

Pune

0–1 year

INR 7,20,000

Air Traffic Controller

Bangalore

0–1 year

INR 8,50,000

Junior Radar Controller

Chennai

0–1 year

INR 7,80,000

ATC Assistant

Hyderabad

0–1 year

INR 8,00,000

ATC Trainee Officer

Kolkata

0–1 year

INR 7,50,000

ATC Officer

Noida

2–3 years

INR 10,00,000

Radar Services Controller

Ghaziabad

2–3 years

INR 10,50,000

Senior ATC Officer

Indore

3–5 years

INR 13,00,000

Watch Supervisor

Jaipur

3–5 years

INR 14,50,000

Deputy Manager – ATC Ops

Surat

5–10 years

INR 18,00,000

Chief Controller

Gurugram

5–10 years

INR 24,00,000

DGM – Air Traffic Services

Mumbai

10+ years

INR 32,00,000

GM – ATC Operations

Bangalore

10+ years

INR 35,00,000

Chief Radar Officer

Chennai

10+ years

INR 30,00,000

Project Head – ATC Training

Hyderabad

10+ years

INR 28,00,000

Director – Air Navigation

Kolkata

10+ years

INR 26,00,000

Senior ATC Consultant

Pune

10+ years

INR 25,00,000

Airport Operations Head

Patna

10+ years

INR 18,00,000

 

Air Traffic Controller Salary Abroad

An Air Traffic Controller position in a foreign country has competitive pay packages that are very high, depending on the experience and duties of the Air Traffic Controller. Countries like USA, Canada, Australia, and the UAE provide a high package to ATC professionals at various levels- starting with junior rank professions like junior ATC Officer to senior ranks like Director of Air Traffic Services. The more experience, the more the earning capacity.

Job Role

Country

Experience Required

Average Salary (per annum)

Junior ATC Officer

USA

0–1 year

USD 65,000–80,000

ATC Assistant

Canada

0–1 year

CAD 60,000–75,000

Trainee Air Traffic Controller

Australia

0–1 year

AUD 70,000–85,000

ATC Executive

UAE

3–5 years

AED 160,000–220,000

Senior ATC Officer

USA

5–10 years

USD 100,000–130,000

Enroute Controller

Canada

5–10 years

CAD 90,000–110,000

Tower Supervisor

Australia

5–10 years

AUD 100,000–125,000

Senior Radar Operations Manager

UAE

10+ years

AED 280,000–350,000

Director of Air Traffic Services

USA

10+ years

USD 140,000–170,000

National ATC Operations Head

Canada

10+ years

CAD 130,000–150,000

Senior ATC Consultant

Australia

10+ years

AUD 135,000–160,000

 

Skills Acquired after MBA in Airport Management

Some of the skills acquired after doing an MBA in Airport Management are given below:

  • Strategic Planning and Operations Management- MBA graduates in Airport Management acquire skills on how to plan, organise, and control the operations in an airport to ensure proper running and optimal level of services.
  • Regulatory and Compliance Knowledge- They acquire a good knowledge of aviation laws, safety regulations, and international standards governing the operations in the airport and the airline.
  • Financial Management and Budgeting- They learn how to manage budgets, control finances, and financial resources of the aviation and airport industry.
  • Customer Service and Stakeholder Communication - The graduates are taught how to manage or deal with the passengers, spread communication to the airlines, government departments, and service providers to provide an excellent customer experience.
  • Technology Adaptation and Data Analysis - By graduation, the students will know how to run the airport management software as well as how to work with approaching technologies and analyze data using data analytics.

 

FAQs

What are the essential skills to become a good Indian ATC?

To be successful as an ATC, it is important to have qualities like communication skills, a great sense of spatial awareness, problem-solving and decision-making ability, multitasking and stress tolerance. Interpersonal skills, such as working as a team and ability to work under pressure in times of emergencies are also helpful when dealing with such complicated situations in the air traffic.

What makes air traffic control one of the most secure jobs in the Indian government?

Air traffic control is a central government job under Airports Authority of India. It provides a good career growth, maximum job security, frequent pay rise as well as benefits. The ever-expanding aviation industry and the steady requirement of qualified ATCs also assure long-term stability, as well as career development.

Which factors contribute to change in AAI ATC in-hand salary?

The amount of in-hand salary differs according to basic salary, allowances such as HRA, DA, shift allowance, location of posting including provident fund/tax deductions. The total amount of money that one gets home per month is also affected by seniority, night shifts and whether the city is classified as a metro or non-metro.

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