Air traffic controllers work for the Federal Aviation Administration and, as such, enjoy access to federal pay scales and federal benefits. While entry level pay for air traffic controllers, as of September 2013, is relatively low, the value of the benefits are significant. In addition, wages climb for air traffic controllers. As of the May 2012 Occupational Employment and Wages study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a median-earning air traffic controller took home $122,530.