Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Franklin, NJ: $85.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Franklin, NJ runs $85.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $178,855 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Franklin's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $74.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $107,309 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Franklin, NJ, the hourly pay for air traffic controllers stands at a robust $85.98, significantly higher than the national median of $73.02. This competitive rate has substantial implications for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, especially in the varied environments typical to the profession. Whether stationed at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) en route centers, adjacent terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities, or airport traffic control towers, controllers benefit from an hourly structure that ranges from $49.87 for entry-level positions to $122.82 for top earners. Such figures reveal not only the financial rewards of the profession but also reflect the high efficiency and critical analysis required in managing air traffic. The hourly rates are derived from estimates based on prior annual salary data, making them a helpful guide for those eyeing a career as an air traffic controller in Franklin.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.87 | $398.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.91 | $495.29 |
| Median (P50) | $85.98 | $687.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109.87 | $878.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122.82 | $982.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Franklin
Based on $85.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $85.98/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Franklin, NJ can expect to earn approximately $178,848 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $103,181. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Franklin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Franklin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,439.38 | $14,904 | $178,848 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,063.63 | $8,942 | $107,309 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,375.75 | $5,962 | $71,539 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Franklin) | $85.98 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
| Avionics Technician (National Avg) | $34.67 |
| Flight Attendant (National Avg) | $33.75 |
Air Traffic Controllers in Franklin, NJ earn a median of $178,855 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.76% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.40% above the New Jersey state average of $176,386.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $85.98/hr = $107,309/year (purchasing power: $93,150).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $178,848/year (purchasing power: $155,250).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$69.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$83.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$85.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $73.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $73.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $74.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $77.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $83.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $83.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Franklin grew 20.4% from $69.63/hr (2019) to $83.83/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $88.19/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem air traffic controllers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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.
Working as an Hourly Air Traffic Controller in Franklin
A part-time air traffic controller, working an average of three days a week, would expect to earn around $41,000 annually, markedly less than a full-time counterpart due to fewer hours logged. However, this compensatory aspect must be weighed against the growing trend in the industry of controllers frequently exceeding their base hours, often putting in upwards of 50-60 hours a week. This results in substantial overtime pay, translating into an additional $50,000-$100,000 annually for many controllers, especially in understaffed facilities. The type of employer also drastically affects hourly earnings; those in FAA en route centers generally earn more than their counterparts in smaller FAA contract towers. Some pay structures include valuable health benefits, prompting some controllers to accept a lower base pay in exchange for job security and insurance coverage. Aspiring controllers in Franklin should stay aware of these dynamics and negotiate based on personal priorities to ensure both financial and professional satisfaction.
More salary data for Franklin, NJ:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for air traffic controllers in Franklin. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Franklin 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