Air Traffic Controller Salary in West Orange, NJ: $174,940 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in West Orange, NJ earns a median $174,940/year (≈ $84.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in West Orange's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $151,858 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Air traffic controllers in West Orange, NJ, are positioned at an advantageous salary point within the broader national framework. The projected median annual pay of $174,940 for 2026 surpasses the national average by 15.18%. This figure reflects a salary range that begins at $101,465 for the lowest 10% and extends up to $247,961 for the highest earners. These estimations, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional pricing, indicate that controllers here leverage their skills in a competitive market. The city also supports various facility types, with en route positions generally offering higher compensation due to the complexity of managing high-altitude air traffic compared to terminal or tower roles within the FAA’s structure.
About the West Orange Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,465 | $48.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,957 | $60.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $174,940 | $84.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $223,563 | $107.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $247,961 | $119.22 |
Median Salary Position
15.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Orange
In West Orange, NJ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $146,496 (2026 est.). At $174,940, the local median is 15.18% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Orange: You'd be above the median
How West Orange Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
West Orange median: $174,940/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Orange Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $176,351 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +15.18% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in West Orange, NJ earn a median of $174,940 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.18% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.80% below the New Jersey state average of $176,351.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Orange has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
West Orange, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $174,940 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $151,858 — a 13.19% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$141,659
2025 BLS Actual
$170,557
2026 Current Est.
$174,940
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in West Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $141,659 | Actual |
| 2020 | $150,216 | Actual |
| 2021 | $149,445 | Actual |
| 2022 | $152,324 | Actual |
| 2023 | $158,233 | Actual |
| 2024 | $169,066 | Actual |
| 2025 | $170,557 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $174,940 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $179,436 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Orange metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $141,659 (2019) to $170,557 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $179,436 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,777 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Orange 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) | $101,465 – $125,957 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,957 – $174,940 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $174,940 – $223,563 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $223,563 – $247,961 |
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 West Orange
In the context of the job market, West Orange employs a modest number of air traffic controllers—11 in total. This represents a tightly-knit community within an industry known for its rigorous demands amidst chronic understaffing. The cost of living index at 115.2 indicates that, while salaries are higher relative to the national average, the living expenses are also elevated. To maximize earning potential in this area, one could target employment with FAA en route centers or military installations, where pay tends to be on the higher end of the spectrum. Additionally, acquiring CPC certification can lead to increased pay grades, along with the potential earnings from overtime and shift differentials. Controllers seeking to optimize their compensation should strategically pursue opportunities that capitalize on locality pay and overtime, particularly given the structure of the FG pay scale that influences overall earnings.
More salary data for West Orange, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in West Orange, NJ in 2026?
Is West Orange, NJ a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in West Orange?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in West Orange?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in West Orange?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $170,557 for air traffic controllersin the West Orange 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 West Orange 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