Air Traffic Controller Salary in Tualatin, OR: $157,667 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Tualatin, OR earns a median $157,667/year (≈ $75.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Tualatin's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $153,672 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Tualatin, Oregon, can expect a median annual salary of approximately $157,667, reflecting a competitive position within the broader national market, where the median stands at $151,886. This salary range spans significantly, with the lowest ten percent earning around $91,446 and the highest ten percent reaching up to $229,032. These figures are derived from regional projections based on 2025 BLS data, incorporating local cost adjustments reflecting Tualatin’s economy. With a focus on developmental controller pay and the three-year certification timeline for Certified Professional Controllers (CPC), aspiring air traffic professionals in Tualatin can find motivation in these figures, as they navigate their career path in a city with a limited number of air traffic controllers.
About the Tualatin Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,446 | $43.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,199 | $55.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $157,667 | $75.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $195,436 | $93.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $229,032 | $110.11 |
Median Salary Position
3.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tualatin
In Tualatin, OR, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $137,586 (2026 est.). At $157,667, the local median is 3.81% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tualatin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tualatin Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Tualatin median: $157,667/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tualatin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $164,065 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +3.81% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Tualatin, OR earn a median of $157,667 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.81% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 3.90% below the Oregon state average of $164,065.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tualatin has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tualatin, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $157,667 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $153,672 — a 2.53% 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
$127,671
2025 BLS Actual
$153,716
2026 Current Est.
$157,667
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Tualatin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,671 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,384 | Actual |
| 2021 | $134,688 | Actual |
| 2022 | $137,284 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,609 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,716 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $157,667 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $161,719 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tualatin metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $127,671 (2019) to $153,716 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $161,719 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,048 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tualatin 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) | $91,446 – $115,199 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,199 – $157,667 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $157,667 – $195,436 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $195,436 – $229,032 |
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 Tualatin
Despite having only five air traffic controllers currently employed in Tualatin, the local job market remains robust, especially given the increasing demand for qualified professionals in the field amidst ongoing staffing challenges. The cost of living index in Tualatin, pegged at 102.6, suggests that while the salaries for air traffic controllers are competitive, the slightly above-average living expenses could affect purchasing power. Among institutional employers, FAA en route centers generally offer the highest salaries, followed by terminal facilities and airport towers. Pay discrepancies stem from several factors, including facility levels, CPC certification status, shift differentials, and overtime availability, with night and holiday shifts particularly lucrative. To improve earnings, air traffic controllers in Tualatin might seek opportunities to maximize overtime and consider pursuing positions at en route centers, which offer more substantial salary packages compared to other facilities.
More salary data for Tualatin, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make in Tualatin, OR in 2026?
Is Tualatin, OR a good place to work as a air traffic controller?
Can air traffic controllers make $100K in Tualatin?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted air traffic controller salary in Tualatin?
How much does a air traffic controller make per hour in Tualatin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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 $153,716 for air traffic controllersin the Tualatin 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 Tualatin 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