Air Traffic Controller Salary in Cherry Hill, NJ: $171,393 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Cherry Hill, NJ earns a median $171,393/year (≈ $82.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Cherry Hill's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $148,779 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Cherry Hill, NJ is projected to reach a median of $171,393, surpassing the national median of $151,886 by approximately 12.84%. The compensation for controllers in this region ranges from a lower threshold of $99,408 to a significant high of $247,731, indicating that pay can vary widely based on experience and facility assignment. These figures are reflective of 2026 estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences, which is essential for understanding the economic landscape of air traffic control in the area. With a structured timeline of one to three years to attain full pay as a Developmental Controller, those entering the field in Cherry Hill can look forward to robust earning potential as they progress in their careers.
About the Cherry Hill Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,408 | $47.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,403 | $59.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $171,393 | $82.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $219,384 | $105.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $247,731 | $119.10 |
Median Salary Position
12.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cherry Hill
In Cherry Hill, NJ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $148,323 (2026 est.). At $171,393, the local median is 12.84% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cherry Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cherry Hill Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Cherry Hill median: $171,393/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cherry Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $176,331 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +12.84% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Cherry Hill, NJ earn a median of $171,393 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.84% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.80% below the New Jersey state average of $176,331.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cherry Hill has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cherry Hill, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $171,393 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,779 — 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
$138,787
2025 BLS Actual
$167,099
2026 Current Est.
$171,393
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Cherry Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $138,787 | Actual |
| 2020 | $147,171 | Actual |
| 2021 | $146,415 | Actual |
| 2022 | $149,236 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,025 | Actual |
| 2024 | $165,638 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,099 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,393 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,798 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cherry Hill metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $138,787 (2019) to $167,099 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,798 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,011 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cherry Hill 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) | $99,408 – $123,403 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,403 – $171,393 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $171,393 – $219,384 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $219,384 – $247,731 |
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 Cherry Hill
At present, Cherry Hill is home to 11 air traffic controllers, which suggests a stable yet competitive local job market. The cost of living index sits at 115.2, indicating that while salary levels may be high, living expenses can also strain take-home purchasing power. The most lucrative positions often originate from FAA en route centers or terminal radar approach controllers, which usually pay more compared to airport traffic control towers. Factors such as facility type, CPC certification status, shift differentials, and overtime can drive significant annual earnings. Controllers can strategically enhance their pay by pursuing positions in high-demand facilities and maximizing bonus opportunities through overtime, especially considering the persistent need for staffing in this sector. As the industry grapples with chronic staffing shortages, smart career moves and overtime work can drastically boost earnings for those managing air traffic in Cherry Hill, NJ.
More salary data for Cherry Hill, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Cherry Hill, NJ in 2026?
Is Cherry Hill, NJ a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Cherry Hill?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Cherry Hill?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Cherry Hill?
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 $167,099 for air traffic controllersin the Cherry Hill 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 Cherry Hill 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