Air Traffic Controller Salary in Albany, OR: $165,610 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Albany, OR earns a median $165,610/year (≈ $79.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Albany's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $161,413 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Albany, Oregon, air traffic controllers enjoy a competitive salary landscape, driven partly by the demanding nature of the job and chronic staffing shortages. With a projected median annual pay of $165,610 for 2026, controllers in this region are earning a salary that exceeds the national median by 9.04%. The local salary range spans from $96,054 at the 10th percentile to $234,972 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the significant variation in compensation based on experience, location, and responsibility level. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, with regional cost adjustments that account for Albany's above-average cost of living, which sits at an index of 102.6. Therefore, potential applicants can expect that overtime hours, often required due to understaffing, substantially enhance effective compensation in Albany's air traffic control job market.
About the Albany Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,054 | $46.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $119,239 | $57.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $165,610 | $79.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $210,673 | $101.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $234,972 | $112.97 |
Median Salary Position
9.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albany
In Albany, OR, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $138,918 (2026 est.). At $165,610, the local median is 9.04% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Albany: You'd be above the median
How Albany Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Albany median: $165,610/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albany Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $164,132 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +9.04% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Albany, OR earn a median of $165,610 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.04% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 0.90% above the Oregon state average of $164,132.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albany has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albany, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $165,610 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $161,413 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$134,103
2025 BLS Actual
$161,460
2026 Current Est.
$165,610
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $134,103 | Actual |
| 2020 | $142,204 | Actual |
| 2021 | $141,474 | Actual |
| 2022 | $144,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $149,793 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,022 | Actual |
| 2025 | $161,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $165,610 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,866 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albany metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $134,103 (2019) to $161,460 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $169,866 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,763 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany 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) | $96,054 – $119,239 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $119,239 – $165,610 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $165,610 – $210,673 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $210,673 – $234,972 |
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 Albany
The employment situation in Albany shows that there are currently eight air traffic controllers in the area, which fosters a competitive yet promising environment for new hires. However, the cost of living slightly higher than the national average does impact take-home purchasing power, making it essential for professionals to maximize their compensation strategies. Among local employers, the FAA facilities play a significant role, with en route centers and terminal radar approach control positions typically offering higher salaries compared to airport traffic control towers. The spread between lower and higher pay in this market is influenced by factors such as facility level, CPC certification status, and the prevalence of overtime shifts, especially during peak traffic times. Controllers aiming for top earnings should consider pursuing certifications that qualify them for higher-tier facilities and seek opportunities that allow them to work additional hours or shifts with pay differentials, ensuring they capture the best possible air traffic controller pay in Albany OR.
More salary data for Albany, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $161,460 for air traffic controllersin the Albany 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 Albany 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