Air Traffic Controller Salary in Manchester, NJ: $169,957 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Manchester, NJ earns a median $169,957/year (≈ $81.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Manchester's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $147,532 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Manchester, NJ, the effective compensation for air traffic controllers reflects the pressures of understaffing and the realities of overtime. The projected median annual salary is $169,957, positioning local controllers approximately 11.90% above the national median of $151,886. This figure represents a salary range that spans from $98,575 to $248,204, with pay driven up by frequent mandatory overtime often leading to 50-60 hour weeks. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, account for regional cost adjustments, particularly important given Manchester's cost of living index of 115.2, which is higher than the national average. The dynamics of the local job market suggest that individuals seeking a career in air traffic control can expect solid earnings that are influenced by both workload and workplace necessity.
About the Manchester Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,575 | $47.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,744 | $59.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $169,957 | $81.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $211,088 | $101.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $248,204 | $119.33 |
Median Salary Position
11.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manchester
In Manchester, NJ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $149,629 (2026 est.). At $169,957, the local median is 11.9% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Manchester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Manchester Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Manchester median: $169,957/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Manchester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $176,488 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +11.90% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Manchester, NJ earn a median of $169,957 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.90% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 3.70% below the New Jersey state average of $176,488.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Manchester has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Manchester, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $169,957 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $147,532 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$137,624
2025 BLS Actual
$165,699
2026 Current Est.
$169,957
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Manchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $137,624 | Actual |
| 2020 | $145,938 | Actual |
| 2021 | $145,188 | Actual |
| 2022 | $147,985 | Actual |
| 2023 | $153,726 | Actual |
| 2024 | $164,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $165,699 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $169,957 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $174,325 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Manchester metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $137,624 (2019) to $165,699 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $174,325 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,701 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manchester 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) | $98,575 – $124,744 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,744 – $169,957 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $169,957 – $211,088 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $211,088 – $248,204 |
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 Manchester
Analyzing the employment landscape reveals that only nine air traffic controllers are currently employed in Manchester, illustrating a potentially competitive market. The higher cost of living could affect purchasing power despite the appealing salary projections, so aspiring controllers should weigh their financial situations carefully. The primary employers in the area include both FAA terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) and airport traffic control towers, with variants in pay structure based on the type of facility and level of certification. For those in Manchester, the opportunity to maximize earning potential lies in accumulating experience and CPC certification, strategically leveraging shift differentials, and actively pursuing overtime opportunities which are abundant in a market characterized by chronic staffing deficiencies.
More salary data for Manchester, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Manchester?
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Related Pages
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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 $165,699 for air traffic controllersin the Manchester 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 Manchester 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