Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Gloucester Township, NJ: $85.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Gloucester Township, NJ runs $85.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $177,164 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Gloucester Township's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $106,297 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Gloucester Township, New Jersey, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $85.17, significantly exceeding the national median of $73.02. This competitive pay allows for various working arrangements, including part-time roles and per-diem positions. For those working three days a week, the hourly rate provides a solid income while maintaining flexibility, critical in high-stress environments like en route centers and airport control towers. Entry-level positions start at approximately $49.40 per hour, while highly experienced controllers can earn up to $120.22. Such a range reflects the extensive experience and responsibility required for positions in this field, whether at busy TRACON facilities or in dynamic control tower settings across Gloucester Township.
About the Gloucester Township 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) | $49.40 | $395.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.33 | $490.61 |
| Median (P50) | $85.17 | $681.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107.71 | $861.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120.22 | $961.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gloucester Township
Based on $85.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $85.17/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gloucester Township, NJ can expect to earn approximately $177,162 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $102,209. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Gloucester Township.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gloucester Township
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,406.97 | $14,764 | $177,162 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,044.18 | $8,858 | $106,297 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,362.79 | $5,905 | $70,865 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Gloucester Township) | $85.17 |
| 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 Gloucester Township, NJ earn a median of $177,164 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.64% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.40% above the New Jersey state average of $176,458.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $85.17/hr = $106,297/year (purchasing power: $92,272).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $177,162/year (purchasing power: $153,787).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$68.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$83.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$85.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Gloucester Township (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $73.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $72.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $74.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $77.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $82.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $83.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Gloucester Township grew 20.4% from $68.97/hr (2019) to $83.04/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $87.36/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 Gloucester Township 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 Gloucester Township
Focusing on part-time earnings, a controller working just 24 hours a week could expect to make around $66,041 annually, which, while substantial, contrasts sharply with full-time earnings that can exceed $200,000 with overtime. The reality of per-diem air traffic controller pay in Gloucester Township is nuanced, as controllers often take on extra shifts to manage workloads exacerbated by chronic understaffing. Overtime pay, calculated at 1.5 times the base rate, can lead to substantial earnings, often bringing reports of total compensation that exceed figures by $50,000 to $100,000. Controllers in the area may find differences in hourly rates based on their specific employer, whether with the FAA at ARTCCs and TRACONs, military branches, or smaller contracted towers, affecting benefits and overall satisfaction. Many opt for the stability of federal employment, which offers extensive healthcare benefits, while others might seek hourly compensation with less overall job security. The desire for higher pay often comes with negotiation strategies, stressing the importance of evaluating each employment opportunity holistically based on immediate pay, benefits, and long-term career advancement potential.
More salary data for Gloucester Township, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Gloucester Township in 2026?
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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 Gloucester Township. 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 Gloucester Township 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