Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Summit, NJ: $79.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Summit, NJ runs $79.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $164,409 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Summit's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $68.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $98,642 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly pay of $79.04, air traffic controllers in Summit, New Jersey, are compensated higher than the national median of $73.02. This rate offers flexible earning potentials, especially for part-time workers putting in schedules of three days per week. Those part-time positions can be found in various settings, such as en route centers and airport traffic control towers, where controllers manage traffic from dimly-lit control rooms or high-rise towers with panoramic views. The hourly compensation ranges from $47.05 at the entry level to a maximum of $108.89 for the top earners, reflecting the competitive nature of the job amid a backdrop of significant responsibility and skill. Given the complexity of the role, these figures are estimated based on annual salary data, showcasing the value of air traffic controller hourly pay in Summit against both local and national benchmarks.
About the Summit 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) | $47.05 | $376.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58.76 | $470.10 |
| Median (P50) | $79.04 | $632.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96.48 | $771.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108.89 | $871.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Summit
Based on $79.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.04/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Summit, NJ can expect to earn approximately $164,404 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $94,849. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Summit.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Summit
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,161.62 | $13,700 | $164,404 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,896.97 | $8,220 | $98,642 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,264.65 | $5,480 | $65,762 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Summit) | $79.04 |
| 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 Summit, NJ earn a median of $164,409 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.24% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 6.80% below the New Jersey state average of $176,405.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.04/hr = $98,642/year (purchasing power: $85,627).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $164,404/year (purchasing power: $142,712).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$64.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$77.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $67.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $67.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $68.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $71.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $76.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $77.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Summit grew 20.4% from $64.00/hr (2019) to $77.06/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $81.07/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 Summit 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 Summit
Considering the realities of part-time work as an air traffic controller, a professional with a 24-hour weekly schedule could expect a substantially different annual income compared to full-time counterparts. For instance, while full-time positions often accrue significant annual overtime due to understaffing, part-time employees may negotiate per diem air traffic controller pay that can skew their effective hourly earnings beyond the stated base rates. Controllers, especially in understaffed facilities, routinely work overtime, pushing their effective hourly compensation well above base rates, sometimes resulting in annual incomes augmented by $50,000 to $100,000 or more just from overtime. The type of employer also impacts pay; controllers working at FAA en route centers may enjoy higher base rates compared to those at contract towers or military installations. Ultimately, potential candidates should consider health benefits as part of negotiating their hourly rates, where some may choose lower pay with comprehensive coverage over higher wages without benefits. Local job markets and negotiation strategies can further influence the operational income landscape for air traffic controllers in Summit, NJ.
More salary data for Summit, 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 Summit. 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 Summit 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