Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — Salaries & Pay 2026
FAA employs 44,376 civilian FTE (OMB, FY2026). FAA's verified average salary is $144,181/year (OPM FedScope, 2026).
FTE Source: OMB Analytical Perspectives, FY2027 Budget, Table 5-1 • Salary Source: OPM FWD, April 2026
FAA Pay at a Glance
Employment and salary benchmarks from OMB and OPM official publications.
The Federal Aviation Administration employed 44,376 civilian FTE as of FY2026 (OMB). The verified average salary for FAA is $144,181/year as of 2026 (OPM FedScope). Use our GS Pay Calculator for your exact salary by grade, step, and location.
FTE = full-time equivalent; part-time employees count fractionally. Salary is base pay + locality pay; excludes benefits. View agency salary detail on OPM FedScope →
FAA Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian FTE (FY2026) | 44,376 | OMB Analytical Perspectives FY2027 Budget, Table 5-1 (2024 Actual). FTE, not headcount. |
| Avg Agency Salary | $144,181 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, REDACTED records excluded. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Pay system | General Schedule (GS) + others | Most FAA civilians on GS (15 grades x 10 steps). Some on SES, SL/ST, wage grade, or special rate tables. |
| Pay period | Biweekly (26x/yr) | Divide annual salary by 26 for biweekly gross pay. |
| Locality pay | 17.06% – 46.34% | Varies by duty station across 58 OPM pay areas. Rate x base pay = locality supplement. |
| Pay cap (2026) | $197,200 | Executive Schedule Level IV. Applies to GS employees whose locality-adjusted salary would exceed this amount. |
Common Occupations at FAA
Major occupational categories employed at Federal Aviation Administration. Actual pay for each category depends on GS grade, step, and duty station. Use the GS Pay Calculator for a personalized figure.
- →Air traffic controllers
- →Transportation specialists
- →Aviation safety inspectors
- →Management & program analysts
- →Information technology management
About Federal Aviation Administration
The FAA is a component of the Department of Transportation; figures reflect FAA-specific records in OPM's EHRI snapshot (subelement TD03). Regulates civil aviation and operates the National Airspace System, overseeing ~45,000 flights daily. The high average salary ($144,181) reflects the specialized air traffic controller and aviation safety workforce, which operates under a separate pay plan from the standard GS schedule.
Calculate Your Exact FAA Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
FAA Pay — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary at the Federal Aviation Administration?
The verified average salary at FAA is $144,181 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data where REDACTED records are excluded. Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact salary based on grade, step, and duty station.
How many employees does the FAA have?
The Federal Aviation Administration employed 44,376 full-time equivalent (FTE) civilian employees as of FY2026, per the OMB Analytical Perspectives FY2027 Budget Table 5-1. FTE figures count part-time employees as fractions of a full-time position.
How is federal pay determined at FAA?
Federal civilian pay is set by the General Schedule (GS) pay system for most employees. Pay = Base Pay (by grade and step) × (1 + Locality Rate). FAA employees in different metropolitan areas receive different locality adjustments — from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% in San Jose-San Francisco. Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your rate.
Do FAA employees receive federal benefits?
Yes. FAA employees receive the full federal benefits package: FERS retirement (pension + Social Security + TSP with agency match), FEHB health insurance, FEGLI life insurance, Federal Dental and Vision (FEDVIP), and flexible spending accounts. Use our FERS Retirement Calculator to estimate your retirement income.
What is the FERS retirement benefit for FAA employees?
FERS pension = High-3 Average Salary × Years of Service × 1% (or 1.1% if you retire at 62+ with 20+ years). For example, a FAA employee with a $100,000 High-3 salary and 30 years of service would receive $30,000/year ($2,500/month) in FERS pension, plus Social Security and TSP savings. Use our FERS Retirement Calculator for a personalized estimate.
Other Federal Agency Pay Pages
Salary benchmarks and employment data for every major federal agency.
Data Accuracy Notice: FTE figures are from the OMB Analytical Perspectives FY2027 Budget (Table 5-1, 2024 Actual), a U.S. government official publication. Salary figures come from OPM's Federal Workforce Data portal (April 2026). Agency-specific averages are shown only when the public EHRI records are representative; redaction-limited agencies use the government-wide benchmark. This page does not constitute financial or career advice. Always verify current pay rates with your agency HR office and OPM.gov.