Air Traffic Controller Salary in Washington Township, NJ: $174,407 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Washington Township, NJ earns a median $174,407/year (≈ $83.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Washington Township's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $151,395 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Washington Township, NJ, is projected to reach $174,407, reflecting a significant premium over the national median of $151,886 and marking an increase of 14.83% in local compensation. Salary estimates range from $101,156 at the 10th percentile to $246,582 for the 90th percentile, showcasing the variation inherent in this profession. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, which is particularly relevant in a locality with a cost of living index of 115.2, indicating that while salaries are competitive, the cost of living is higher than the national average. In Washington Township, the job market for air traffic controllers remains robust, with 12 professionals currently employed in the area, providing a steady foundation for ongoing recruitment and job placement.
About the Washington Township Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,156 | $48.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,573 | $60.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $174,407 | $83.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $221,974 | $106.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $246,582 | $118.55 |
Median Salary Position
14.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington Township
In Washington Township, NJ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $145,426 (2026 est.). At $174,407, the local median is 14.83% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Washington Township: You'd be above the median
How Washington Township Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Washington Township median: $174,407/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Township Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $176,347 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +14.83% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Washington Township, NJ earn a median of $174,407 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.83% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.10% below the New Jersey state average of $176,347.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington Township has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington Township, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $174,407 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $151,395 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$141,227
2025 BLS Actual
$170,037
2026 Current Est.
$174,407
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Washington Township (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $141,227 | Actual |
| 2020 | $149,758 | Actual |
| 2021 | $148,989 | Actual |
| 2022 | $151,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $168,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $170,037 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $174,407 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $178,889 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington Township metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $141,227 (2019) to $170,037 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $178,889 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,662 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington Township 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) | $101,156 – $125,573 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,573 – $174,407 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $174,407 – $221,974 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $221,974 – $246,582 |
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 Washington Township
As potential air traffic controllers consider their career trajectories in Washington Township, understanding the local job market dynamics is essential. The employment environment includes opportunities across various facility types, with pay often highest at FAA en route centers. Factors like CPC certification status, which significantly determines earning potential, drive the disparity in pay between different controllers. Controllers at higher facility levels and those working night shifts or requiring overtime can see substantial increases in their earnings. In a market characterized by chronic understaffing after budget cuts, these details can be pivotal for maximizing take-home pay. Aspiring controllers can enhance their prospects by focusing on qualifying for high-paying facility roles or seeking positions that often offer enhanced locality pay, thus making the most of their compensation potential in Washington Township, NJ.
More salary data for Washington Township, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Washington Township?
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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 $170,037 for air traffic controllersin the Washington Township 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 Washington Township 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