Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Portland, OR: $85.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Portland, OR runs $85.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $177,049 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $82.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $106,233 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portland, Oregon, air traffic controllers are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $85.12 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $73.02. This favorable rate illustrates the city’s demand for skilled professionals tasked with managing air traffic effectively. Controllers in various settings—such as en route center radar consoles, TRACON facilities, and airport traffic control towers—enjoy the flexibility offered by both full-time and part-time positions. Part-time controllers working three days a week can earn substantial pay, with hourly wages ranging from $49.37 for entry-level positions to $131.94 for the top 10% of earners. The hourly estimates are derived from annual salary data, allowing for a clearer understanding of potential compensation in the field.
About the Portland 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) | $49.37 | $394.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.29 | $490.28 |
| Median (P50) | $85.12 | $680.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108.95 | $871.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131.94 | $1055.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $85.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $85.12/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, OR can expect to earn approximately $177,056 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $102,147. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,404.91 | $14,755 | $177,056 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,042.95 | $8,853 | $106,233 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,361.97 | $5,902 | $70,822 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Portland) | $85.12 |
| 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 Portland, OR earn a median of $177,049 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.57% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 7.90% above the Oregon state average of $164,086.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $85.12/hr = $106,233/year (purchasing power: $103,541).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $177,056/year (purchasing power: $172,569).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$53.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$82.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$85.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+64.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $73.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $82.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Portland grew 56.1% from $53.17/hr (2019) to $82.99/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $87.31/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 Portland 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 Portland
While the hourly figures for air traffic controllers in Portland are impressive, the potential for part-time earnings can vary dramatically depending on actual hours worked. A controller working 24 hours a week may find their annual income significantly less than that of their full-time counterparts. Moreover, controllers at busy facilities often work overtime, with many averaging between 50 to 60 hours per week. Such hours can lead to total annual compensation soaring by $50,000 to $100,000 through overtime pay. Positions in FAA en route centers, TRACONs, and contract towers may yield different hourly rates due to varied employer types and workloads, with controllers in the military or those opting for lower hourly pay to secure benefits being a common trade-off. Practical negotiation strategies in Portland, especially for part-time and per diem air traffic controller pay, focus on obtaining competitive hourly rates while understanding the importance of benefits, especially with the mandatory retirement age of 56 looming for many in the field.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Portland. 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 Portland 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