Air Traffic Controller Salary in Hackensack, NJ: $169,287 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Hackensack, NJ earns a median $169,287/year (≈ $81.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Hackensack's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $146,951 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected air traffic controller salary in Hackensack, New Jersey, reaches a median of $169,287, surpassing the national median by over 11%. Local estimates show a compensation range from $98,186 at the 10th percentile to $239,527 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the impact of overtime and staffing shortages in the field. Controllers in Hackensack are not only working hard but also working long hours—often 50-60 hour weeks—as facilities are frequently understaffed. This economic dynamic plays a significant role in elevating overall compensation, making the air traffic controller pay in Hackensack NJ competitive within the broader market.
About the Hackensack Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,186 | $47.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,442 | $59.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $169,287 | $81.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $209,727 | $100.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $239,527 | $115.16 |
Median Salary Position
11.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hackensack
In Hackensack, NJ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $141,341 (2026 est.). At $169,287, the local median is 11.46% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hackensack: You'd be above the median
How Hackensack Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Hackensack median: $169,287/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hackensack Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $176,340 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +11.46% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Hackensack, NJ earn a median of $169,287 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.46% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 4.00% below the New Jersey state average of $176,340.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hackensack has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hackensack, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $169,287 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $146,951 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$137,081
2025 BLS Actual
$165,045
2026 Current Est.
$169,287
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Hackensack (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $137,081 | Actual |
| 2020 | $145,362 | Actual |
| 2021 | $144,615 | Actual |
| 2022 | $147,401 | Actual |
| 2023 | $153,119 | Actual |
| 2024 | $163,602 | Actual |
| 2025 | $165,045 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $169,287 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $173,637 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hackensack metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $137,081 (2019) to $165,045 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $173,637 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,556 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hackensack 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) | $98,186 – $123,442 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,442 – $169,287 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $169,287 – $209,727 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $209,727 – $239,527 |
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 Hackensack
The local job market in Hackensack features a modest cohort of just eight air traffic controllers. However, the cost of living plays a crucial role in determining take-home pay, given the area's cost of living index of 115.2, indicating that expenses are higher than the national average. Air traffic controller salaries are affected by which facilities are involved; typically, those working at en route centers earn the highest due to handling more complex operations compared to terminal control facilities or airport towers. Controllers are encouraged to seek positions at higher-level facilities or pursue CPC certification to maximize their earnings. Additionally, opportunities for overtime, shift differentials for nights and weekends, and locality pay can significantly boost income, especially in a market like Hackensack where demand for air traffic controllers remains high due to continuous staffing challenges and impending retirements.
More salary data for Hackensack, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Hackensack, NJ in 2026?
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Hackensack?
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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
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 $165,045 for air traffic controllersin the Hackensack 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 Hackensack 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