Air Traffic Controller Salary in Wayne, NJ: $172,749 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Wayne, NJ earns a median $172,749/year (≈ $83.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Wayne's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $149,956 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in Wayne, New Jersey, can expect a 2026 median annual salary of $172,749, indicating a competitive pay scale compared to the national median of $151,886. The full salary range extends from $100,194 at the lower end (P10) to $252,372 at the upper tier (P90), reflecting the varying responsibilities associated with different facility types, such as en route, terminal, and tower operations. Local data, which consider regional cost adjustments, suggest that controllers here earn approximately 13.74% more than their national counterparts, primarily due to the heightened demands of managing airspace in a busy northeastern corridor. Given that the workforce consists of only 10 air traffic controllers in this area, the job market remains relatively niche yet pivotal for air traffic management.
About the Wayne Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,194 | $48.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,379 | $59.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $172,749 | $83.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $221,119 | $106.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $252,372 | $121.33 |
Median Salary Position
13.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wayne
In Wayne, NJ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $152,178 (2026 est.). At $172,749, the local median is 13.74% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wayne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wayne Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Wayne median: $172,749/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wayne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $176,455 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +13.74% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Wayne, NJ earn a median of $172,749 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.74% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $176,455.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wayne has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wayne, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $172,749 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $149,956 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$139,885
2025 BLS Actual
$168,421
2026 Current Est.
$172,749
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,885 | Actual |
| 2020 | $148,335 | Actual |
| 2021 | $147,573 | Actual |
| 2022 | $150,417 | Actual |
| 2023 | $156,251 | Actual |
| 2024 | $166,948 | Actual |
| 2025 | $168,421 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,749 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $177,189 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wayne metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $139,885 (2019) to $168,421 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $177,189 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,304 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wayne 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) | $100,194 – $124,379 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,379 – $172,749 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $172,749 – $221,119 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $221,119 – $252,372 |
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 Wayne
The local job market for air traffic controllers is stable, with about 10 professionals currently employed in Wayne, NJ, underscoring the area's focused demand for air traffic management expertise. Despite a cost-of-living index of 115.2, which is above the national average, the compensation remains attractive when considering purchasing power dynamics. High-paying employers in the region include FAA en route centers and terminal radar approach control facilities, known for their robust operational needs and corresponding salary structures. The pay gap between the lower and upper tiers can be attributed to several factors: facility type—en route facilities generally yield higher salaries than terminal and tower operations—as well as certification levels, overtime opportunities, and additional pay for night shifts or holidays. For those aspiring to maximize their earning potential, pursuing positions at en route centers and gaining CPC certification while actively seeking overtime can substantially enhance overall compensation in Wayne's air traffic control market.
More salary data for Wayne, 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 $168,421 for air traffic controllersin the Wayne 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 Wayne 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