Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Forest Grove, OR: $77.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Forest Grove, OR runs $77.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $160,227 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Forest Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $75.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $96,134 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Forest Grove, Oregon, air traffic controllers earn a median hourly pay of $77.03, surpassing the national hourly median of $73.02. This competitive rate can significantly benefit those working part-time, such as controllers on a three-day workweek, allowing for substantial take-home pay without the demanding schedule of full-time positions. Air traffic controllers typically operate in high-pressure environments like en route center radar consoles or airport traffic control towers, and their hourly pay ranges from $44.68 at the entry level to $107.02 for top earners. Furthermore, these figures are derived from projected annual salaries, which reflect the vital role controllers play in ensuring air traffic safety and efficiency across various settings.
About the Forest Grove Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.68 | $357.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55.46 | $443.68 |
| Median (P50) | $77.03 | $616.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96.89 | $775.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.02 | $856.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Forest Grove
Based on $77.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $77.03/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Forest Grove, OR can expect to earn approximately $160,223 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $92,436. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Forest Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Forest Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,081.20 | $13,352 | $160,223 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,848.72 | $8,011 | $96,134 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,232.48 | $5,341 | $64,089 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Forest Grove) | $77.03 |
| 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 Forest Grove, OR earn a median of $160,227 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.49% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.40% below the Oregon state average of $164,167.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $77.03/hr = $96,134/year (purchasing power: $93,697).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $160,223/year (purchasing power: $156,162).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$62.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$75.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$77.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Forest Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $66.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $65.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $67.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $69.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $75.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Forest Grove grew 20.4% from $62.38/hr (2019) to $75.10/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $79.01/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 Forest Grove 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 Forest Grove
Earning potential varies greatly for those in the air traffic controller profession, particularly for part-time workers versus full-time employees. A controller working 24 hours per week could take home significant annual income, while full-timers often see their compensation enhanced by overtime, which averages 1.5 times the base rate. Many experienced controllers find themselves working 50-60 hour weeks, boosting their effective compensation substantially—often adding $50k-$100k in annual overtime. Employment settings also influence hourly rates significantly; for example, roles at FAA en route control centers generally offer higher pay compared to contract towers. Nevertheless, controllers must weigh benefits against hourly rates, as those seeking health insurance may opt for lower hourly positions while forgoing benefits for higher hourly rates in private contracts. To secure the best compensation, it's advisable for controllers in Forest Grove to negotiate effectively, leveraging the current demand and industry standards within their respective facilities.
More salary data for Forest Grove, 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
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 Forest Grove. 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 Forest Grove 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