Air Traffic Controller Salary in New Jersey: $175,721 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median air traffic controller pay sits at $175,721/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 53-2021. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $152,536 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Camden ($193,848), Newark ($180,867), Jersey City ($180,200).
In 2026, air traffic controllers in New Jersey are projected to earn an average median salary of $175,721, which is 15.7% higher than the national median of $151,886. The highest-paying city in the state is Camden, offering salaries of $198,830, while Summit has the lowest at $164,409. This $34,421 gap can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for air traffic services, and the presence of major airports in certain areas. New Jersey has specific state licensing requirements that can impact job prospects, as controllers must meet both federal and state criteria to operate. The demand for skilled air traffic controllers is driven by the state's dense population and the high volume of air traffic in metropolitan regions. With 841 air traffic controllers employed statewide and a projected annual growth rate of 2.57%, the job market remains stable. Key cities like Newark and Jersey City offer competitive salaries of $185,515 and $184,831, respectively, reflecting their proximity to major transportation hubs. As you consider a career in air traffic control, be mindful of these factors that can influence both your salary and career progression in New Jersey.
New Jersey Air Traffic Controller Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Jersey: $96,796 (lowest entry-level) to $292,065 (highest top earner)
New Jersey vs National Average
New Jersey air traffic controllers earn 15.69% more than the national median (+$23,835/year difference).
New Jersey Air Traffic Controller Salary Distribution (2026)
Air Traffic Controller salaries in New Jersey range from $101,954 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $257,020 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $175,721. The New Jersey median is $23,835 above the US national median of $151,886. The average hourly rate is $84.48/hr. Approximately 841 air traffic controllers are employed across 61 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$97,630
2025 BLS Actual
$171,318
2026 Current Est.
$175,721
2019–2027 Growth
+84.6%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in New Jersey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $150,111 | Actual |
| 2022 | $153,004 | Actual |
| 2023 | $158,939 | Actual |
| 2024 | $169,299 | Actual |
| 2025 | $171,318 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $175,721 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $180,237 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 75.5% from $97,630 (2019) to $171,318 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $180,237 by 2027 — a total increase of $82,607 (84.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Jersey
Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Summit | $164,409 |
| Rahway | $166,891 |
| Evesham | $167,630 |
| Egg Harbor | $167,876 |
| Mount Laurel | $168,287 |
Best Value Cities for Air Traffic Controllers in New Jersey
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for air traffic controllers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | $198,830 | 115.2 | $172,595 |
| Newark | $185,515 | 115.2 | $161,037 |
| Jersey City | $184,831 | 115.2 | $160,444 |
| East Orange | $178,855 | 115.2 | $155,256 |
| Franklin | $178,855 | 115.2 | $155,256 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $101,954 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $175,721 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $257,020 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 61 Cities in New Jersey
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camden | $198,830 |
| 2 | Newark | $185,515 |
| 3 | Jersey City | $184,831 |
| 4 | East Orange | $178,855 |
| 5 | Franklin | $178,855 |
| 6 | Woodbridge | $178,805 |
| 7 | Parsippany-Troy Hills | $178,548 |
| 8 | Union | $178,100 |
| 9 | Elizabeth | $178,035 |
| 10 | Brick | $177,668 |
| 11 | Gloucester Township | $177,164 |
| 12 | New Brunswick | $177,094 |
| 13 | Vineland | $176,801 |
| 14 | Howell | $176,508 |
| 15 | Paterson | $176,296 |
| 16 | Plainfield | $176,088 |
| 17 | Irvington | $175,822 |
| 18 | West New York | $175,558 |
| 19 | Piscataway | $175,432 |
| 20 | Jackson | $175,334 |
| 21 | Lakewood | $175,042 |
| 22 | West Orange | $174,940 |
| 23 | Montclair | $174,681 |
| 24 | Princeton | $174,530 |
| 25 | Washington Township | $174,407 |
| 26 | Old Bridge | $174,341 |
| 27 | Edison | $174,073 |
| 28 | Union City | $173,993 |
| 29 | Toms River | $173,936 |
| 30 | Bridgewater | $173,736 |
| 31 | Middletown | $173,685 |
| 32 | Trenton | $173,461 |
| 33 | Clifton | $173,155 |
| 34 | South Brunswick | $172,846 |
| 35 | Berkeley | $172,833 |
| 36 | Perth Amboy | $172,805 |
| 37 | Wayne | $172,749 |
| 38 | Linden | $172,723 |
| 39 | Passaic | $172,679 |
| 40 | East Brunswick | $172,613 |
| 41 | Bloomfield | $172,246 |
| 42 | Long Branch | $172,134 |
| 43 | Westfield | $171,655 |
| 44 | Hamilton | $171,478 |
| 45 | Sayreville | $171,422 |
| 46 | Cherry Hill | $171,393 |
| 47 | North Bergen | $171,086 |
| 48 | Hoboken | $170,933 |
| 49 | Kearny | $170,669 |
| 50 | Manalapan | $170,519 |
| 51 | Bayonne | $170,345 |
| 52 | Atlantic City | $170,327 |
| 53 | Manchester | $169,957 |
| 54 | Moorestown | $169,291 |
| 55 | Hackensack | $169,287 |
| 56 | Marlboro | $168,411 |
| 57 | Mount Laurel | $168,287 |
| 58 | Egg Harbor | $167,876 |
| 59 | Evesham | $167,630 |
| 60 | Rahway | $166,891 |
| 61 | Summit | $164,409 |
More New Jersey Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore air traffic controller hourly pay in New Jersey cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced air traffic controllers.
Explore More Air Traffic Controller Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in New Jersey in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for air traffic controllers in New Jersey?
How does New Jersey air traffic controller pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level air traffic controller salary in New Jersey?
How many air traffic controllers are employed in New Jersey?
Which New Jersey city offers the best value for air traffic controllers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 air traffic controller compensation across New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 metro areas — larger metro areas with more air traffic controllerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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