GS-2152 Air Traffic Control — Federal Salary & Workforce Data (2026)
Federal Air Traffic Controller — GS-2152. The verified average salary for GS-2152 Air Traffic Controls is $152,688/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Data from 19,575 non-redacted OPM records (April 2026).
Salary Source: OPM Federal Workforce Data (EHRI Snapshot, April 2026) • Records included: 19,575 • Redaction rate: 8.5%
GS-2152 Air Traffic Control — Pay at a Glance
Salary and workforce snapshot from OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026.
The GS-2152 Air Traffic Control series showed 19,575 non-redacted federal employees in the April 2026 OPM snapshot. The verified average salary is $152,688/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Use our GS Pay Calculator for your exact salary by grade, step, and location.
Salary = base pay + locality pay; excludes benefits. REDACTED records (OPM data release policy) are excluded from averages. Pay plan: General Schedule (GS) / FV-FG pay band (FAA). View occupation salary detail on OPM FedScope →
GS-2152 Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Series Salary | $152,688 | OPM EHRI Snapshot (April 2026). 19,575 non-redacted records. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Non-redacted records (sample size) | 19,575 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026. REDACTED records excluded per OPM data release policy. |
| Redaction rate | 8.5% | OPM redacts salary records for privacy-sensitive positions (DoD, law enforcement, intelligence). FedTools suppresses series averages when redaction exceeds 20%. |
| Pay plan(s) | General Schedule (GS) / FV-FG pay band (FAA) | Primary pay plan(s) used for this occupational series in the federal government. |
| Typical grades | FV-D to FV-G (FAA pay band); GS-12 to GS-14 equivalent | Most common grade range for this series. Actual assignment depends on the position description and agency. |
| Locality pay | 17.06% – 46.34% | Varies by duty station across 58 OPM pay areas. Rate x base pay = locality supplement. Included in the average salary above. |
| Pay cap (2026) | $197,200 | Executive Schedule Level IV. Applies to GS employees whose locality-adjusted salary would exceed this amount. Title 38 and special pay plans may exceed this cap. |
Top Agencies Employing GS-2152 Air Traffic Controls
Based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026). Actual grade, step, and locality assignment varies by position and location.
- →Federal Aviation Administration (FAA / DOT)
- →Department of Defense (DoD — military bases)
Key Duties — GS-2152 Air Traffic Control
Representative duties for the 2152 occupational series based on OPM classification standards. Specific responsibilities vary by position and agency.
- →Radar sequencing and aircraft separation in en-route airspace
- →Terminal approach control (TRACON facilities)
- →Tower control for takeoff, landing, and ground movement
- →Emergency and weather contingency management
- →Traffic management unit coordination
About the GS-2152 Air Traffic Control Series
FAA employs approximately 10,800 of the ~14,000 federal air traffic controllers. DoD operates controllers at military installations. FAA controllers use the FV pay band rather than standard GS grades — FV-D through FV-G roughly correspond to GS-12 through GS-14. The $152,688 average reflects the premium pay (night diff, Sunday pay, overtime) that is common in ATC. FAA controller salaries can exceed $200,000 at major facilities with premium pay.
Calculate Your Exact GS-2152 Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
GS-2152 Air Traffic Control — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a GS-2152 Air Traffic Control?
The verified average salary for the GS-2152 Air Traffic Control series is $152,688 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data (19,575 non-redacted records; 8.5% redaction rate). Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact pay by grade, step, and duty station.
What GS grades apply to the 2152 series?
The GS-2152 Air Traffic Control series typically spans FV-D to FV-G (FAA pay band); GS-12 to GS-14 equivalent. Actual grade assignment depends on the position description, agency, and your qualifications. Use our GS Pay Calculator to look up the exact salary for any grade, step, and locality.
Which agencies employ GS-2152 Air Traffic Controls?
The largest federal employers of GS-2152 Air Traffic Controls include: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA / DOT), Department of Defense (DoD — military bases). These figures are based on the OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026).
How is federal pay determined for GS-2152 positions?
Federal civilian pay for GS positions = Base Pay (by grade and step) × (1 + Locality Rate). The GS table has 15 grades (GS-1 through GS-15) and 10 steps per grade. Locality adjustments range from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% in San Jose–San Francisco. Use our GS Pay Calculator for an instant result.
Do GS-2152 federal employees receive FERS retirement benefits?
Yes, most GS-2152 positions qualify for the full federal benefits package: FERS pension (1–1.1% × High-3 Salary × Years of Service), TSP with up to 5% agency match, FEHB health insurance (government pays ~70% of premium), FEGLI life insurance, and FEDVIP dental/vision. Use our FERS Retirement Calculator to estimate your retirement income.
Other Federal Job Series Pay Pages
Salary data and workforce details for every GS occupational series in our database.
Data Accuracy Notice (YMYL): Salary figures are from the OPM Federal Workforce Data portal (EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026). The annualized_adjusted_basic_pay field captures base pay + locality pay under all pay plans (GS, Title 38, special rates). REDACTED records are excluded per OPM data release policy. FedTools publishes series-specific averages only when the non-redacted sample is representative (redaction ≤ 20%, n ≥ 50). This page does not constitute financial or career advice. Always verify current pay rates with your agency HR office and OPM.gov.