Air Traffic Controller Salary in Milwaukie, OR: $150,828 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Milwaukie, OR earns a median $150,828/year (≈ $72.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Milwaukie's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $147,006 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the air traffic controller salary in Milwaukie, OR, is expected to reach a median of $150,828, slightly lower than the national average of $151,886. This competitive pay comes with a salary range from $87,480 at the 10th percentile to $208,624 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates, grounded in 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, reflect the various tiers within the air traffic control system, where those at en route Level 12 facilities tend to command higher salaries than their terminal and tower counterparts. With the Milwaukie labor market employing six air traffic controllers, professionals in this area can anticipate solid earning potential adjusted for the local economy.
About the Milwaukie Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,480 | $42.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,573 | $52.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,828 | $72.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $190,531 | $91.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $208,624 | $100.30 |
Median Salary Position
0.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukie
In Milwaukie, OR, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,144 (2026 est.). At $150,828, the local median is 0.7% below the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukie: You'd be above the median
How Milwaukie Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Milwaukie median: $150,828/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $164,122 | -8.10% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | -0.70% less |
Air Traffic Controllers in Milwaukie, OR earn a median of $150,828 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.70% lower than the national median of $151,886 and 8.10% below the Oregon state average of $164,122.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukie has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukie, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $150,828 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $147,006 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,134
2025 BLS Actual
$147,049
2026 Current Est.
$150,828
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Milwaukie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,134 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,512 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,847 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,329 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,423 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,899 | Actual |
| 2025 | $147,049 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,828 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,704 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukie metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $122,134 (2019) to $147,049 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,704 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,570 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukie 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) | $87,480 – $109,573 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,573 – $150,828 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,828 – $190,531 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $190,531 – $208,624 |
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 Milwaukie
The air traffic controller pay in Milwaukie is influenced by multiple factors, including the cost of living, which sits at an index of 102.6. This means that while salaries may be competitive, controllers must consider the purchasing power afforded by their earnings in this urban environment. Employment within FAA en route centers generally offers higher compensation compared to terminal and tower positions, due to the volume and complexity of air traffic managed at these facilities. Gaps in pay can also arise from factors such as CPC certification status, shift differentials, and the prevalence of overtime. Controllers who strategically engage in mandatory shifts and seek positions at high-traffic en route facilities could maximize their take-home pay. Given the industry's ongoing challenges, including chronic understaffing and the traditional retirement age, advancing in air traffic control roles remains a viable pathway for ambitious professionals in Milwaukie.
More salary data for Milwaukie, OR:
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 $147,049 for air traffic controllersin the Milwaukie 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 Milwaukie 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