Air Traffic Controller Salary in Tigard, OR: $159,553 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Tigard, OR earns a median $159,553/year (≈ $76.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Tigard's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $155,510 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tigard, Oregon, the air traffic controller salary averages around $159,553 in 2026, representing a competitive compensation package compared to the national median of $151,886. This figure reflects a notable 5.05% increase, emphasizing the attractive pay prospects in this region. The full salary range for controllers in Tigard spans from $92,541 at the 10th percentile to $230,413 at the 90th percentile, with a mid-range of $114,878 at the 25th percentile and $204,227 at the 75th percentile. This variation highlights the influence of job responsibilities across different facility tiers, such as en route centers, terminal facilities, and control towers, providing potential candidates with insights into their salary expectations based on specific roles within Tigard’s aviation sector.
About the Tigard Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,541 | $44.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,878 | $55.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $159,553 | $76.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $204,227 | $98.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $230,413 | $110.78 |
Median Salary Position
5.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tigard
In Tigard, OR, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $137,872 (2026 est.). At $159,553, the local median is 5.05% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tigard: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tigard Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Tigard median: $159,553/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tigard Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $164,149 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +5.05% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Tigard, OR earn a median of $159,553 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.05% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 2.80% below the Oregon state average of $164,149.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tigard has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tigard, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $159,553 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $155,510 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$129,198
2025 BLS Actual
$155,555
2026 Current Est.
$159,553
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Tigard (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $129,198 | Actual |
| 2020 | $137,004 | Actual |
| 2021 | $136,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $138,926 | Actual |
| 2023 | $144,315 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,645 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,555 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,553 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $163,653 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tigard metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $129,198 (2019) to $155,555 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $163,653 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,455 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tigard 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) | $92,541 – $114,878 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,878 – $159,553 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $159,553 – $204,227 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $204,227 – $230,413 |
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 Tigard
The local job market showcases a modest pool of nine air traffic controllers, indicating niche employment opportunities for new applicants in Tigard. Despite a cost of living index of 102.6, slightly above the national average, controllers must keep in mind that take-home pay can be impacted by local expenses. Among the top-paying employers are the FAA en route centers, which tend to offer higher salaries compared to terminal control and airport tower facilities. Factors contributing to the pay range include facility level, certification status, and shift differentials, with en route Level 12 positions typically commanding higher salaries than tower Level 7. Controllers can enhance their earnings by seeking overtime shifts, considering the chronic understaffing since 2013, and leveraging their qualifications to transition into higher-tier facilities. Understanding the dynamics of the air traffic controller pay in Tigard allows professionals to better strategize their career trajectories.
More salary data for Tigard, 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 $155,555 for air traffic controllersin the Tigard 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 Tigard 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