Air Traffic Controller Salary in Newberg, OR: $153,741 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Newberg, OR earns a median $153,741/year (≈ $73.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Newberg's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $149,845 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Newberg, Oregon, can anticipate a median annual salary of $153,741, slightly above the national median of $151,886. The salary range spans from $92,864 at the 10th percentile to $203,751 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varied income potential based on factors like experience and facility type. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, highlight the earning potential for both developmental and fully certified professional controllers. With a CPC certification timeline of one to three years, controllers in Newberg can grow into higher pay brackets as they gain experience and responsibilities. This city offers a solid earning proposition for aspiring and current air traffic controllers amid ongoing staffing challenges.
About the Newberg Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,864 | $44.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,283 | $55.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $153,741 | $73.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,816 | $90.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,751 | $97.95 |
Median Salary Position
1.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newberg
In Newberg, OR, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,887 (2026 est.). At $153,741, the local median is 1.22% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Newberg: You'd be above the median
How Newberg Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Newberg median: $153,741/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newberg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $164,078 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +1.22% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Newberg, OR earn a median of $153,741 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.22% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 6.30% below the Oregon state average of $164,078.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newberg has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Newberg, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $153,741 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $149,845 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,492
2025 BLS Actual
$149,889
2026 Current Est.
$153,741
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Newberg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,492 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,013 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,335 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,866 | Actual |
| 2023 | $139,058 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,485 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,889 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $153,741 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $157,692 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newberg metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $124,492 (2019) to $149,889 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $157,692 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,200 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newberg 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) | $92,864 – $115,283 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,283 – $153,741 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $153,741 – $188,816 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,816 – $203,751 |
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 Newberg
Despite Newberg having only six air traffic controllers currently employed, the job market remains promising for professionals in the field. The cost of living index sits at 102.6, suggesting that the purchasing power of controllers' salaries is slightly above the national average, but it does require prudent financial planning. In this area, the FAA airport traffic control towers provide stable employment opportunities, while en route centers and terminal TRACON facilities typically offer higher pay scales. Variations in salaries can depend greatly on certification status—developmental controllers earn roughly 65-75% of the CPC rate—and factors like shift differentials, overtime availability, and locality pay. Controllers can maximize their pay in Newberg by seeking positions at higher-tier facilities, taking advantage of overtime, and being open to various employment shifts, especially considering the ongoing demand resulting from chronic understaffing in the aviation sector.
More salary data for Newberg, 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 $149,889 for air traffic controllersin the Newberg 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 Newberg 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