Air Traffic Controller Salary in Brick, NJ: $177,668 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Brick, NJ earns a median $177,668/year (≈ $85.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Brick's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $154,226 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Brick, NJ, can expect a median annual salary of $177,668 in 2026, which represents a notably competitive figure compared to the national median of $151,886. Given the average workload at understaffed facilities, many controllers often find themselves working 50-60 hour weeks, which can significantly increase their effective compensation. In this context, the salary range for air traffic controllers in Brick spans from $103,047 at the 10th percentile to as high as $258,278 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living factors, indicating that pursuing a career in air traffic control here could be financially rewarding, especially for those willing to take on extra hours in this demanding profession.
About the Brick Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,047 | $49.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,921 | $61.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $177,668 | $85.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $227,414 | $109.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $258,278 | $124.17 |
Median Salary Position
16.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brick
In Brick, NJ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $155,231 (2026 est.). At $177,668, the local median is 16.97% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brick Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Brick median: $177,668/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $176,433 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +16.97% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Brick, NJ earn a median of $177,668 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.97% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.70% above the New Jersey state average of $176,433.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brick has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brick, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $177,668 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $154,226 — a 13.19% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$143,867
2025 BLS Actual
$173,216
2026 Current Est.
$177,668
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Brick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $143,867 | Actual |
| 2020 | $152,558 | Actual |
| 2021 | $151,775 | Actual |
| 2022 | $154,699 | Actual |
| 2023 | $160,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $171,701 | Actual |
| 2025 | $173,216 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $177,668 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $182,234 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brick metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $143,867 (2019) to $173,216 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $182,234 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,367 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brick 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $103,047 – $127,921 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,921 – $177,668 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $177,668 – $227,414 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $227,414 – $258,278 |
ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual air traffic controller compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Air Traffic Controller Job Market in Brick
With 18 controllers employed in the area, the job market for air traffic control in Brick is relatively stable, but the local cost of living index at 115.2 suggests that the purchasing power from these salaries might be influenced by expenses that are above the national average. Among employers in Brick, the FAA's en route centers typically pay the most, with higher levels of compensation compared to the terminal radar approach control and airport traffic control towers. Factors contributing to the variation in pay include the level of facility, CPC certification status, overtime availability, and locality pay, which can provide significant boosts for employees willing to work nights, weekends, and holidays. To maximize earnings in this market, current and prospective air traffic controllers should focus on obtaining CPC certification and seeking employment at en route facilities, especially given the ongoing challenges of staffing shortages within the FAA that often lead to abundant overtime opportunities.
More salary data for Brick, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Brick, NJ in 2026?
Is Brick, NJ a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Brick?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Brick?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Brick?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $173,216 for air traffic controllersin the Brick metropolitan area. A 2.57% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brick 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