Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Hoboken, NJ: $82.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Hoboken, NJ runs $82.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $170,933 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Hoboken's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $71.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $102,559 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hoboken, New Jersey, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly rate of $82.18, which is notably above the national hourly median of $73.02. This difference illustrates the local demand for skilled controllers, especially in settings such as FAA radar facilities and airport traffic control towers. For part-time workers who might opt to work three days a week, the hourly pay translates into a substantial weekly income, enabling them to balance work with other commitments. The hourly rate for these professionals can range significantly, starting at $47.66 for entry-level positions and reaching as high as $118.14 for more experienced controllers, allowing for great potential to grow within this career. It’s important to remember that these figures are derived from projected annual salary data, reflecting the competitive landscape for air traffic controller hourly pay in Hoboken.
About the Hoboken 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) | $47.66 | $381.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.17 | $473.38 |
| Median (P50) | $82.18 | $657.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105.19 | $841.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118.14 | $945.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hoboken
Based on $82.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $82.18/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hoboken, NJ can expect to earn approximately $170,932 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $98,615. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Hoboken.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hoboken
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,287.16 | $14,244 | $170,932 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,972.30 | $8,547 | $102,559 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,314.87 | $5,698 | $68,373 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Hoboken) | $82.18 |
| 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 Hoboken, NJ earn a median of $170,933 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.54% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 3.10% below the New Jersey state average of $176,401.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $82.18/hr = $102,559/year (purchasing power: $89,027).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $170,932/year (purchasing power: $148,379).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$66.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$80.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$82.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Hoboken (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $70.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $70.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $71.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $74.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $79.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $80.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Hoboken grew 20.4% from $66.54/hr (2019) to $80.12/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.29/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 Hoboken 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 Hoboken
Part-time air traffic controllers working 24 hours a week can earn a solid income while enjoying flexibility in their schedules. For those in Hoboken, working this arrangement offers an approximate annual take-home that reflects well on their time commitment. The nature of this profession often leads to opportunities for overtime, where controllers at busy facilities might find themselves working 50-60 hours per week. Overtime pay, set at 1.5 times the base rate, can significantly increase overall earnings, with some controllers racking up $50,000-$100,000 in annual overtime depending on their hours. Additionally, the pay structure may vary based on the type of employer, with those in FAA en route centers (ARTCCs) generally earning more than their counterparts in FAA contract towers. Controllers often face negotiations that require weighing hourly rates against the benefits package, balancing between higher pay at places offering fewer benefits and solid health insurance coverage at organizations that may provide slightly lower hourly rates.
More salary data for Hoboken, 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 Hoboken. 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 Hoboken 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