Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay in Wilsonville, OR: $75.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a air traffic controller working in Wilsonville, OR runs $75.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $157,424 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Weighted against Wilsonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $94,457 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Wilsonville, Oregon, the projected air traffic controller hourly pay for 2026 is $75.69, positioning it above the national average of $73.02 per hour. This attractive hourly rate suggests robust financial prospects, especially significant for part-time employees who may work around 24 hours a week or fewer days, allowing for potential flexibility in their schedules. Per-diem roles within this profession, such as assignments at en route centers or TRACON facilities, can also offer competitive compensation based on this hourly rate. With entry-level positions starting around $43.90, and experienced controllers potentially earning up to $107.23 in top-tier facilities, the hourly pay reflects the varied responsibilities and skills needed, which range from overseeing high-altitude traffic to managing local airport operations.
About the Wilsonville 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) | $43.90 | $351.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.50 | $435.96 |
| Median (P50) | $75.69 | $605.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96.47 | $771.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.23 | $857.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilsonville
Based on $75.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $75.69/hr, a air traffic controller working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilsonville, OR can expect to earn approximately $157,428 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $90,824. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Wilsonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilsonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,027.46 | $13,119 | $157,428 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,816.47 | $7,871 | $94,457 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,210.98 | $5,248 | $62,971 |
Compare ATC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller (Wilsonville) | $75.69 |
| 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 Wilsonville, OR earn a median of $157,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.65% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 4.10% below the Oregon state average of $164,155.
Air Traffic Controller Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $75.69/hr = $94,457/year (purchasing power: $92,063).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $157,428/year (purchasing power: $153,438).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$61.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$73.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$75.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Wilsonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $64.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $64.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $65.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $68.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $67.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $73.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for air traffic controllers in Wilsonville grew 20.4% from $61.29/hr (2019) to $73.79/hr (2025). At a 2.57% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $77.63/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 Wilsonville 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 Wilsonville
For air traffic controllers operating in Wilsonville, the choice between full-time positions and part-time or per-diem work has significant financial implications. A part-time controller working three days a week could see an annual income substantially lower than their full-time counterparts, who often bring home well over $200,000 when factoring in overtime pay and shift differentials. Flexibility afforded to per-diem staff can still be lucrative, particularly given the high demand for controllers that can lead to overtime hours often paid at 1.5 times the base rate. Various types of employers, from FAA-managed facilities to contracted towers, provide different hourly experiences, with the decision impacting not only pay but also access to benefits. While FAA facilities typically offer lower hourly rates with accompanying benefits, those seeking maximum hourly pay may look to agency positions that forego such perks. Negotiation is crucial in this reality, whether securing higher pay in contract roles or weighing the trade-offs of consistent benefits against higher hourly compensation without them.
More salary data for Wilsonville, 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 Wilsonville. 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 Wilsonville 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