Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Woodburn, OR: $93,626 (2026)
Quick Answer:New air traffic controllers entering the Woodburn, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $93,626 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Woodburn's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $91,253 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($161,424) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the air traffic control profession in Woodburn, Oregon, the 2026 projected starting air traffic controller salary is set at $93,626. This figure represents the lower end of the pay scale for this occupation, significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $161,424. However, early-career air traffic controllers can anticipate a path of growth over the next few years. With dedication and experience, new hires can expect their salary to climb as they move toward the first quartile earnings of $116,225, and eventually to the median within a span of three to five years. Given the competitive nature of this industry, Woodburn presents a favorable market for recent graduates, offering viable opportunities for entry into this rewarding field.
About the Woodburn Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Woodburn
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woodburn
Entry-level air traffic controllers in Woodburn, OR typically start between $93,626 and $116,225 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $132,595 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $161,424 — 6.28% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Oregon of $42,000 represents just 44.86% of the starting air traffic controller pay ($93,626/year) in Woodburn. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover AT-CTI associate or bachelor's degree tuition. FAA Academy training is provided at no tuition cost to accepted candidates, who are paid as federal trainees. Military ATC experience can substitute for CTI schooling.
ATC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Woodburn
- 1Research the Woodburn market: entry-level air traffic controller pay ranges from $93,626 to $116,225, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the aviation field — employers in OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Woodburn, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Woodburn for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Woodburn's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Air Traffic Controller Compensation Range
The air traffic controller wage spread in Woodburn is $132,595 ( 141.62%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $93,626, experienced hygienists can earn up to $226,221.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$79,535
2025 BLS Actual
$91,280
2026 Current Est.
$93,626
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Woodburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,535 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,692 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,668 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,658 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,684 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,117 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,626 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,032 | Projected |
Entry-level air traffic controller compensation (10th percentile) in Woodburn, OR grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $79,535 in 2019 to $91,280 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $96,032. New graduates entering the Woodburn job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woodburn metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.57% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your aviation Career in Woodburn
In Woodburn, the primary employer for aspiring air traffic controllers is the FAA, which actively recruits through various channels. New graduates can find hiring opportunities via the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) partnerships or through public bid windows for "off-the-street" hiring, although applicants generally must be under 31 years old unless they are military veterans. To enhance starting pay, prospective controllers should focus on meeting essential credentials such as US citizenship, passing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA), and completing Initial Qualification Training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. The first few years in this role are critical; most controllers work under the FG pay scale, distinct from the GS scale, facing extended training periods before achieving full Certified Professional Controller (CPC) status. There's a consistent trajectory of salary increases as controllers gain experience, and the FAA’s ongoing need for staffing means that new hires have the opportunity to advance well beyond starting pay levels as they establish themselves in the profession.
More salary data for Woodburn, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, ATO
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience as an air traffic controller. He specializes in terminal area control at a major airport.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new aviation graduates. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Woodburn. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Woodburn is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.57%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for air traffic controllers (SOC 53-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, ATO, a licensed air traffic controller with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov