TransportationOECD 2024Tech Hub

Air Traffic Controller Salary in Amsterdam

2026 · Official labour data · 5 comparison cities

$144,484/yr

Last updated: July 2026 · Source: BLS OES Survey · 1.1M employer sample

Typical range: $115,671 $180,474

High Confidence · 84/100

How much does a Air Traffic Controller make in Amsterdam, Netherlands?

A Air Traffic Controller in Amsterdam earns a median of $144,484/year (about $69/hour). Most earn between $115,671 (25th percentile) and $180,474 (75th percentile); top earners (90th percentile) make $220,573 or more — 9% above the US average. Figures are from BLS employer payroll data, not self-reports.

$94,643
Entry (P10)
$144,484
Median (P50)
$180,474
Top 25% (P75)
$220,573
Top 10% (P90)

Understanding these Air Traffic Controller salary numbers

We report percentiles, not a single average, because pay isn't evenly spread — a handful of very high earners would drag an average upward and mislead you. Here's exactly what each figure means.

Median (P50) — $144,484

Half of Air Traffic Controllers in Amsterdam earn more than this and half earn less. It's the most honest "typical" salary — better than an average, which gets skewed by a few top earners.

25th percentile (P25) — $115,671

The lower end of the typical range: 75% of Air Traffic Controllers earn more than this. It's common for early-career roles or lower-cost employers. Earning below it is grounds to negotiate.

75th percentile (P75) — $180,474

Your negotiation target: only 25% of Air Traffic Controllers earn above it. Reaching P75 usually means seniority, in-demand specialisations, or simply negotiating from data. See how to negotiate.

90th percentile (P90) — $220,573

Top earners: only 10% of Air Traffic Controllers make this or more — typically senior, highly specialised, or at the best-paying employers.

Gross vs after-tax pay

These figures are gross (before tax). What actually reaches your account depends on your country, state, and deductions. Estimate your net with the take-home calculator.

National vs Amsterdam pay

City figures apply the local market premium to BLS data, so Amsterdam differs from the US average by +9%. A higher number isn't always better once cost of living is counted.

Hourly rate — $69/hr

The hourly figure is the annual median divided by 2,080 (40 hours × 52 weeks). If you regularly work more than 40 hours, your real hourly rate is lower than this. Convert any salary with the salary calculator.

Why this differs from Glassdoor or Payscale

Those sites publish what people say they earn (self-reports), which skew high because higher earners report more often. Our figures come from mandatory employer payroll records (BLS OEWS), so they reflect the whole market — not just a vocal subset.

How current and reliable is this number?

This page carries a confidence score of 84/100, based on the data source and coverage. US figures track the latest BLS release and refresh automatically; international figures use OECD/ILO data. See the changelog for live data freshness.

What counts as a "good" Air Traffic Controller salary in Amsterdam?

Around the median ($144,484) is solid and $180,474+ is strong — but "good" really depends on local costs. Check what the number is actually worth with the good-salary breakdown for Amsterdam.

Still curious how we get these numbers? Every figure is traceable to a primary source — see the full methodology and data sources.

Cite or reuse this data

Air Traffic Controller salary in Amsterdam, Netherlands: median $144,484 (P75 $180,474), per BLS OEWS via Official Salary, 2026.

Free JSON: /api/salary?job=air-traffic-controller&city=amsterdam — no key. API & widgets →

Key insights for Air Traffic Controllers in Amsterdam

✓ Reviewed by the Official Salary Data TeamUpdated July 2026Source: OECD 2024 2026Confidence: LowMethodology
  • Air Traffic Controllers in Amsterdam earn about 9% more than the national median for the role ($144K vs $132K).
  • Cost of living in Amsterdam runs about 30% above the US average, so $144K is worth roughly $111K at national prices.
  • Pay climbs with seniority: a senior/staff Air Traffic Controller reaches about $202K — a +40% step from mid-level.
Official Salary Verdict™
Typical Range

Air Traffic Controllers in Amsterdam typically earn $116K–$180K a year.

Market Median

The market median is $144K — half earn above, half earn below.

Top Earners

Top earners (top 10%) make $221K or more.

High-Paying Role

Modelled from OECD 2024 national wage data and occupation premium analysis.

Official government labour statistics (BLS OEWS)Updated monthly via BLS APIHuman-reviewed methodologyConfidence Score: 84/100Editorial policy →

Air Traffic Controller Salary Analysis — Amsterdam

Air Traffic Controllers in Amsterdam earn a median salary of $144K, which is 9% above the national median of $132K. Amsterdam's established technology sector sustains above-average demand for this role, supporting premium compensation.

Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and employer payroll records. Figures represent the median (P50) across all experience levels in Amsterdam.

Cost of Living Adjustment

Amsterdam's cost of living is 30% above the US average. Your $144K salary has the equivalent purchasing power of approximately $111K in a city with average US living costs.

$144K
Nominal salary
+30%
CoL vs US avg
$111K
Real value

Salary Distribution — Amsterdam

5-band distribution from employer payroll records

P10Entry Level
$94,643

New graduates, 0–1 yr exp

P2525th Percentile
$115,671

1–3 years experience

P50Median
$144,484

3–7 years, typical professional

P7575th Percentile
$180,474

Senior / high-performer — target

P90Top 10%
$220,573

Staff / principal / lead

Air Traffic Controller salary chart for Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2026: median $144K, top 25% earn $180K+, from BLS employer payroll data
Air Traffic Controller pay in Amsterdam — free to share with attributionDownload chart
+9%
vs US avg
+3%
demand growth
Low
AI risk
Data Confidence
84/100B+
BLS.OEWS.2026.v2Updated Jul 29, 2026

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Official Salary Fair Pay Score™

Is $144K a good salary for Air Traffic Controller in Amsterdam?

Based on BLS data for 144,484 comparable professionals in this role

50
You're paid above average

You're earning above the median — in the top half of this role's salary range.

Bottom 10%: $95K·Median: $144K·Top 10%: $221K
Underpaid← MedianTop earner
Adjusted · 89% confidenceSource reliability: 36/40 (OECD)

Why This Salary?

How we arrived at $144K for Air Traffic Controllers in Amsterdam

+9%
Netherlands market level
Netherlands pays 9% above the global baseline for this profession.
+30%
Amsterdam metro premium
Major metro areas command higher salaries to offset cost of living.

Source: OECD 2024. All figures reflect 2026 market conditions.

Air Traffic Controller Salary by Experience Level in Amsterdam

How compensation grows from entry-level through staff / lead

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyHourly
Entry00 yrs$98,249$8,187$47
Junior22 yrs$121,367$10,114$58
Mid-LevelTypical44 yrs$136,778$11,398$66
Senior66 yrs$156,043$13,004$75
Staff1010 yrs$202,278$16,857$97
Principal1414 yrs$246,201$20,517$118
Distinguished1818 yrs$257,182$21,432$124

Based on BLS OEWS percentile distribution. Actual salary depends on employer, skills, and negotiation.

Skills That Earn More — Air Traffic Controller

Estimated premium above the Amsterdam median based on market demand

ATC Certification+4% ≈ +$6K/yr
Radar Operations+4% ≈ +$6K/yr
Emergency Protocols+4% ≈ +$6K/yr
Communication+4% ≈ +$6K/yr
Spatial Awareness+4% ≈ +$6K/yr

Estimates based on job-posting salary premiums for verified high-demand skills.

Air Traffic Controller Intelligence Report

Career metrics and full compensation breakdown — from BLS demand data

Career Opportunity Score

Composite: demand growth × 1.4 + (100 − AI risk) × 0.4

F33/100
High RiskModerateExceptional
Demand Growth+3%/yr
AI Displacement Risk28% — Low
Risk-Adj. Salary Growth+1.5%/yr
High Risk: High automation exposure and slow demand growth. Significant pivot risk by 2030.
$149K
In 2 yrs
$156K
In 5 yrs
$168K
In 10 yrs

Total Compensation — Air Traffic Controller

Beyond base salary: bonus, equity, and benefits

Total Comp Range
$196K$214K
per year
Base (70%)Bonus (10%)Equity (4%)Benefits (15%)
Base Salary
Median market rate
$144,484
Annual Bonus
Typical: 8–20% of base
$20,228
Equity (annualised)
~6% of base — RSUs/options
$8,669
Benefits Value
~22% — healthcare, 401k, PTO
$31,786
Total Comp (mid)
$205,167

Bonus, equity, and benefits are modelled estimates from category norms (not scraped from any single employer); base is BLS. Actual total comp varies by employer, level, and negotiation.

Typical Benefits for Air Traffic Controllers

— show

Often adds 20–35% to your effective pay

Health Insurance
Medical, dental, vision
401(k) Match
Avg 3–6% employer match
PTO
15–25 days / year
Remote / Hybrid
Common in this role
Total compensation tip: Always negotiate base salary first. Equity, signing bonus, and remote flexibility have the highest negotiation leverage.

Compare Air Traffic Controller Salaries by City

How Amsterdam, Netherlands stacks up against other major markets

CityMedianP75vs US avg
Amsterdam, Netherlands (current)$144,484$180,474++9%
London, UK$133,835$167,173++1%
Toronto, Canada$127,706$159,517+-3%
Berlin, Germany$127,521$159,286+-3%
Sydney, Australia$141,504$176,752++7%
Singapore, Singapore$134,813$168,394++2%

Official Salary Career GPS™

What should I do next as a Air Traffic Controller?

O*NET · US Dept of Labor

Higher-paying roles in the same field

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Air Traffic Controller salary in Amsterdam, Netherlands?

The median Air Traffic Controller salary in Amsterdam, Netherlands is $144K per year (2026), based on BLS OEWS employer payroll data from 1.1 million employers. The top 25% earn $180K+ per year.

What is a good Air Traffic Controller salary in Amsterdam, Netherlands?

The 75th percentile ($180K/yr) is the professional benchmark — what the top quarter already earns. It's a documented, negotiable target backed by BLS payroll data. Anything above the median ($144K) is above-average for this role in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

How much does a Air Traffic Controller earn per hour in Amsterdam, Netherlands?

Based on the median annual salary of $144K, a Air Traffic Controller in Amsterdam, Netherlands earns approximately $69/hr (2,080-hour work year). The P75 rate is ~$87/hr.

Is Amsterdam, Netherlands a good market for Air Traffic Controllers?

Amsterdam, Netherlands pays 9% above the US national average for this role. Demand for Air Traffic Controllers is growing 3% annually, and AI automation risk is rated low for this occupation.

How do I negotiate a higher Air Traffic Controller salary in Amsterdam, Netherlands?

Cite the BLS P75 figure ($180K) — it is verifiable public data from government payroll records. Request the full compensation package: base + equity/bonus + benefits. Timing matters: negotiate at the offer stage, not after acceptance. Counter with a specific number, not a range.

What is the entry-level Air Traffic Controller salary in Amsterdam, Netherlands?

Entry-level Air Traffic Controllers in Amsterdam, Netherlands (10th–25th percentile) earn roughly $95K–$116K per year, rising toward the $144K median with experience and in-demand skills.

What does a senior Air Traffic Controller earn in Amsterdam, Netherlands?

Senior Air Traffic Controllers in Amsterdam, Netherlands — the top quartile up to the 90th percentile — earn about $180K–$221K per year, with the top 10% making $221K+.

How Is This Salary Calculated?

Every number is derived from a transparent, reproducible methodology — no estimates, no black boxes.

Where does the salary data come from?

All US figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey — a mandatory biannual survey of 1.1 million US employers who report actual payroll data.

How is the Amsterdam, Netherlands figure calculated?

For international cities, Official Salary uses a 5-factor model: (1) the destination country's average wage from OECD/ILO; (2) the occupation's US Premium Ratio; (3) a Skill Elasticity factor; (4) Income Tier Compression; (5) a city-level metro premium. Currency conversion uses ECB rates refreshed every 4 hours.

What do P10, P25, P50, P75, and P90 mean?

These are salary percentiles from employer payroll records. P50 (median) means 50% of workers earn less. P75 means 75% earn less — this is the recommended negotiation anchor. P10 and P90 represent the bottom 10% and top 10% respectively.

How is take-home pay estimated?

Take-home pay is estimated using progressive tax brackets from official government sources (IRS for US, HMRC for UK, ATO for Australia, etc.). Social contributions (National Insurance, FICA, etc.) are added. These are estimates — actual take-home depends on deductions, filing status, and location.

How often is data updated?

US BLS salary data refreshes every 24 hours via the BLS public API. OECD international wages refresh monthly. ECB currency rates refresh every 4 hours.

Full formulas and source citations on the methodology page.

What a Air Traffic Controller salary really means in Amsterdam

Take-home pay, rent affordability, and remote benchmarking — on the $144,484 median.

Estimated take-home

$78,109/yr

$6,509/month net

Gross median
$144,484
Income tax
$66,375
Social / FICA
$0
Effective rate
46%

Dutch income tax box 1 (includes social premiums up to AOW age). Single-filer estimate — not tax advice.

Rent affordability

23%

of take-home on a typical 1-bed (~$1,529/mo)

The 30% rule says housing should stay under 30% of take-home. Here it's comfortably within that line. After all living costs (~$3,640/mo), roughly $2,869/mo is left to save or invest.

Cost-of-living estimate for Amsterdam; rent ≈ 42% of budget.

Remote vs onsite

$132,000$144,484

typical fully-remote benchmark range

Onsite Air Traffic Controllers in Amsterdam earn the local median of $144,484. Fully-remote roles are usually benchmarked between the US median ($132,000) and the local rate — employers increasingly set remote pay by national or regional bands, not your city.

Compare all Air Traffic Controller markets →
✓ Reviewed by the Official Salary Data TeamUpdated July 2026Source: OECD 2024 2026Confidence: LowMethodology

How to reach the top 25% as a Air Traffic Controller in Amsterdam

The gap between a typical Air Traffic Controller and the top quartile in Amsterdam is $35,990/year — about $2,999/month more than the median. Reaching the 75th percentile ($180,474) usually comes down to seniority, in-demand specialisations, and negotiating from real data instead of hoping for a raise.

Salary trend data not available for this occupation.

Education Premium — Air Traffic Controller

How degree level affects salary · ACS Census data

High School / GED
-25%
~$108K
Associate's Degree
-10%
~$130K
Bachelor's DegreeBASELINE
~$144K
Master's Degree
+20%
~$173K
Doctoral (PhD)
+22%
~$176K
Professional (MBA/JD/MD)
+35%
~$195K

Source: US Census Bureau ACS PUMS · BLS OES wage data.

Negotiation Deep-Dive

Get your data-backed negotiation opening ask and walking-away floor.

📊Your exact market percentile based on BLS distribution
🎯P75 target + 10% stretch as your opening ask price
🚪Walking-away floor so you know when to move on
Amsterdam benchmarks
$144K
Market median
$180K
P75 target
$221K
Top 10%

Negotiation Calculator

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$
Air Traffic Controller in Amsterdam — Distribution
P10
$95K
P25
$116K
P50
$144K
P75
$180K
P90
$221K
Enter your salary above to see your negotiation position

Data Source & Attribution

Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (1.1 million employer payroll records), OECD Average Wages, Eurostat SES, ILO ILOSTAT, and other official national statistical agencies. Data is updated via ISR and reflects the most recent release cycle.

BLS.OEWS.2026.v2

Jul 29, 2026

Full methodology →
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