Air Traffic Controller Salary in Piscataway, NJ: $175,432 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Piscataway, NJ earns a median $175,432/year (≈ $84.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Piscataway's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $152,285 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Piscataway, NJ, is projected to reach a median of $175,432, reflecting a competitive market compared to the national median of $151,886. Salaries can vary significantly, with a range from $101,750 at the 10th percentile to $261,681 at the 90th percentile. This disparity is influenced by the tiered facility system overseen by the FAA, where en route controllers at high-level centers generally surpass those at terminal or tower facilities in terms of compensation. Local estimates consider both state-level data and regional cost of living adjustments, highlighting Piscataway's strong position in the air traffic control sector.
About the Piscataway Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,750 | $48.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,311 | $60.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $175,432 | $84.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $224,552 | $107.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $261,681 | $125.81 |
Median Salary Position
15.50% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Piscataway
In Piscataway, NJ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $159,931 (2026 est.). At $175,432, the local median is 15.5% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Piscataway: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Piscataway Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Piscataway median: $175,432/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Piscataway Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $176,491 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +15.50% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Piscataway, NJ earn a median of $175,432 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.50% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.60% below the New Jersey state average of $176,491.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Piscataway has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Piscataway, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $175,432 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,285 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$142,056
2025 BLS Actual
$171,036
2026 Current Est.
$175,432
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Piscataway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $142,056 | Actual |
| 2020 | $150,638 | Actual |
| 2021 | $149,864 | Actual |
| 2022 | $152,752 | Actual |
| 2023 | $158,677 | Actual |
| 2024 | $169,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $171,036 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $175,432 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $179,940 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Piscataway metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $142,056 (2019) to $171,036 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $179,940 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,884 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Piscataway 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) | $101,750 – $126,311 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,311 – $175,432 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $175,432 – $224,552 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $224,552 – $261,681 |
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 Piscataway
With 14 air traffic controllers currently employed in Piscataway, the local job market is somewhat limited yet offers compelling pay opportunities, especially with a cost-of-living index of 115.2 indicating expenses above the national average. The strongest salaries are typically found at FAA en route centers or terminal radar approach control facilities, where additional factors like CPC certification status, shift differentials, and mandatory overtime can significantly influence take-home pay. Those seeking to maximize their earnings should aim for higher-tier facilities, consider shifts with premiums, and remain adaptive to the constantly evolving demands of air traffic control. Understanding the dynamics of how much do air traffic controllers make in Piscataway and effectively navigating the FAA employment landscape can lead to lucrative compensation packages for skilled professionals in this field.
More salary data for Piscataway, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $171,036 for air traffic controllersin the Piscataway 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 Piscataway 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