AI Salary 2026: $65,761–$159,933 — Air Traffic Control (Government of Canada)
Effective Date: 2025-07-01 · Verified 2026-04-26
AI rates of pay for all AI (Air Traffic Control) levels in the Canadian federal public service, 2026. Salaries range from $65,761 to $159,933 across 7 levels. Category: Operational. Source: Treasury Board collective agreements.
| Level | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI-01 | $65,761 ~$48K net | $69,294 ~$50K net | $72,828 ~$52K net | $76,356 ~$54K net | $79,893 ~$56K net | $83,426 ~$58K net | $86,965 ~$60K net | $90,491 ~$63K net | $94,030 ~$65K net | $100,261 ~$69K net |
| AI-02 | $79,246 ~$56K net | $82,774 ~$58K net | $86,312 ~$60K net | $89,844 ~$62K net | $93,378 ~$64K net | $96,910 ~$67K net | $100,442 ~$69K net | $103,978 ~$71K net | $107,511 ~$73K net | $113,743 ~$77K net |
| AI-03 | $94,645 ~$65K net | $98,180 ~$67K net | $101,720 ~$70K net | $105,260 ~$72K net | $108,799 ~$74K net | $112,337 ~$76K net | $115,869 ~$78K net | $119,408 ~$81K net | $122,938 ~$83K net | $129,171 ~$86K net |
| AI-04 | $111,856 ~$76K net | $115,787 ~$78K net | $119,724 ~$81K net | $123,652 ~$83K net | $127,581 ~$85K net | $131,506 ~$87K net | $135,441 ~$89K net | $139,374 ~$91K net | $145,605 ~$95K net | — |
| AI-05 | $115,787 ~$78K net | $119,724 ~$81K net | $123,651 ~$83K net | $127,580 ~$85K net | $131,504 ~$87K net | $135,440 ~$89K net | $139,372 ~$91K net | $143,301 ~$93K net | $149,530 ~$96K net | — |
| AI-06 | $120,733 ~$81K net | $124,658 ~$84K net | $128,592 ~$86K net | $132,524 ~$88K net | $136,452 ~$90K net | $140,389 ~$92K net | $144,317 ~$94K net | $148,246 ~$96K net | $154,479 ~$99K net | — |
| AI-07 | $127,402 ~$85K net | $131,331 ~$87K net | $135,262 ~$89K net | $139,194 ~$91K net | $143,127 ~$93K net | $147,054 ~$95K net | $150,983 ~$97K net | $154,909 ~$99K net | $159,933 ~$102K net | — |
Net estimates assume Ontario, no dependents, PSPP Group 2 (post-2013 hire). Use the calculator for your full situation including province, marital status, RRSP, union dues, and pension group.
Select a level for full step breakdown
AI-01
$65,761 – $100,261
$2,529 – $3,856 biweekly (before deductions)
Rates effective from 2025-07-01 · Last verified 2026-04-26 · methodology
AI-01 pay raise history (rates from previous collective agreements)
| Effective Date | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-01 | $65,761 | $69,294 | $72,828 | $76,356 | $79,893 | $83,426 | $86,965 | $90,491 | $94,030 | $100,261 |
| 2024-07-01 | $64,472 | $67,935 | $71,400 | $74,859 | $78,326 | $81,790 | $85,260 | $88,717 | $92,186 | $98,295 |
| 2023-07-01 | $63,050 | $66,437 | $69,825 | $73,208 | $76,599 | $79,986 | $83,379 | $86,761 | $90,153 | $96,127 |
| 2022-07-01 | $60,909 | $64,181 | $67,454 | $70,722 | $73,998 | $77,270 | $80,548 | $83,815 | $87,091 | $92,863 |
| 2021-07-01 | $58,123 | $61,245 | $64,368 | $67,487 | $70,613 | $73,735 | $76,864 | $79,981 | $83,107 | $88,615 |
AI – Air Traffic Control
$65,761 – $159,933
$2,529 – $6,151 biweekly (before deductions)
7 levels · Salary data from Treasury Board collective agreements
Rates effective from 2025-07-01 · Last verified 2026-04-26 · methodology
About the AI Classification
The AI (Air Traffic Control) group covers air traffic controllers employed by the federal government. While Nav Canada (a private corporation) operates most of Canada's air traffic control system, the AI classification still exists within the federal pay structure for controllers at certain military and federal facilities. AI controllers manage the safe and orderly flow of air traffic in Canadian airspace, providing separation services, approach control, and tower control at assigned facilities.
AI positions require specialized training and certification from Transport Canada. The work is high-stakes and operationally demanding — controllers must make rapid decisions affecting aircraft safety while managing multiple aircraft simultaneously. The AI pay scale reflects the specialized nature of the work and the intensive selection and training process required. Shift work is mandatory, as air traffic control is a 24/7 operation at all active facilities.
The AI group has a unique position in federal employment because most civilian air traffic control in Canada transitioned to Nav Canada in 1996. Federal AI positions that remain are typically at military bases or specialized facilities. The pay scale and working conditions for federal AI controllers differ from those at Nav Canada, where compensation has generally been higher due to market pressures and the operational demands of major commercial airports.
AI Tools and Related Resources
AI net pay after federal + provincial tax, CPP, EI, PSPP
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AI salary — frequently asked questions
What is the AI salary range?
The AI (Air Traffic Control) salary range is $65,761 to $159,933 per year as of 2025-07-01, across 7 levels (AI-01, AI-02, AI-03, AI-04, AI-05, AI-06, AI-07). Rates are sourced from publicly published collective agreements.
What does AI stand for in the Government of Canada?
AI is the Treasury Board classification code for Air Traffic Control positions in the Government of Canada. It covers 7 levels (AI-01, AI-02, AI-03, AI-04, AI-05, AI-06, AI-07) reflecting different levels of responsibility and seniority.
How much does a AI-01 make?
A AI-01 earns $65,761 (Step 1) to $100,261 (Step 10) per year as of 2025-07-01.
How much does a AI-02 make?
A AI-02 earns $79,246 (Step 1) to $113,743 (Step 10) per year as of 2025-07-01.
How much does a AI-03 make?
A AI-03 earns $94,645 (Step 1) to $129,171 (Step 10) per year as of 2025-07-01.
How much does a AI-04 make?
A AI-04 earns $111,856 (Step 1) to $145,605 (Step 9) per year as of 2025-07-01.
How much does a AI-05 make?
A AI-05 earns $115,787 (Step 1) to $149,530 (Step 9) per year as of 2025-07-01.
How much does a AI-06 make?
A AI-06 earns $120,733 (Step 1) to $154,479 (Step 9) per year as of 2025-07-01.
How much does a AI-07 make?
A AI-07 earns $127,402 (Step 1) to $159,933 (Step 9) per year as of 2025-07-01. AI-07 is the senior-most level in the AI group.
When was the AI pay scale last updated?
The current AI pay scale on FedPay.ca is effective 2025-07-01, with a total of 66 pay steps across 7 levels. Data is verified against Treasury Board collective agreements regularly.
What is the AI take-home pay after taxes?
AI take-home pay depends on your level, step, province, and pension group. Use the FedPay.ca take-home pay calculator at fedpay.ca/take-home to see your net pay after federal tax, provincial tax, CPP, EI, and Public Service Pension Plan contributions for any AI level and step.