Air Traffic Controller Salary in Plainfield, NJ: $176,088 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Plainfield, NJ earns a median $176,088/year (≈ $84.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Plainfield's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $152,854 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Plainfield, New Jersey, air traffic controllers earn a median annual salary of $176,088, outpacing the national median by 15.93%. The salary spectrum ranges broadly from $102,131 at the lower end (P10) to an impressive $263,983 at the upper end (P90), reflecting the intricate hierarchy within the air traffic control profession. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost-of-living adjustments that account for local economic conditions. With a small workforce of just ten controllers in the area, the job market in Plainfield is niche yet competitive, making it critical for aspiring controllers to understand the varying pay structures tied to facility tiers.
About the Plainfield Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,131 | $49.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,784 | $60.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $176,088 | $84.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $221,383 | $106.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $263,983 | $126.92 |
Median Salary Position
15.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plainfield
In Plainfield, NJ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $161,852 (2026 est.). At $176,088, the local median is 15.93% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plainfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plainfield Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Plainfield median: $176,088/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plainfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $176,441 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +15.93% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Plainfield, NJ earn a median of $176,088 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.93% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.20% below the New Jersey state average of $176,441.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plainfield has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Plainfield, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $176,088 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,854 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$142,588
2025 BLS Actual
$171,676
2026 Current Est.
$176,088
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $142,588 | Actual |
| 2020 | $151,202 | Actual |
| 2021 | $150,425 | Actual |
| 2022 | $153,324 | Actual |
| 2023 | $159,271 | Actual |
| 2024 | $170,175 | Actual |
| 2025 | $171,676 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $176,088 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $180,614 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plainfield metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $142,588 (2019) to $171,676 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $180,614 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,026 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plainfield 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) | $102,131 – $126,784 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,784 – $176,088 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $176,088 – $221,383 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $221,383 – $263,983 |
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 Plainfield
Living in a region with a cost-of-living index of 115.2 means that while salaries for air traffic controller positions in Plainfield are robust, decision-makers must also consider how far their pay will stretch. Employers' top offerings typically come from FAA en route centers (ARTCCs), known for handling high-altitude traffic, while terminal radar approach control (TRACON) and airport control towers offer different compensation levels. The variance in pay reflects not just facility types—higher tiers like Level 12 generally offer higher earnings—but also factors like certificated professional controller (CPC) status, shift differentials, and the ever-present opportunities for overtime. To maximize earning potential in this competitive market, controllers should be proactive in seeking CPC certification, volunteering for night or holiday shifts, and strategically exploring higher-tier positions to fully capitalize on the region’s pay structures while considering the unique challenges of staffing in the FAA.
More salary data for Plainfield, 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 $171,676 for air traffic controllersin the Plainfield 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 Plainfield 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