Air Traffic Controller Salary in East Orange, NJ: $178,855 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in East Orange, NJ earns a median $178,855/year (≈ $85.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in East Orange's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $155,256 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in East Orange, New Jersey, can anticipate a median annual salary of $178,855, which exceeds the national median of $151,886 by a notable 17.76%. This competitive salary range spans from $103,736 at the 10th percentile to $255,913 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the substantial earning potential in this field. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected for 2026, take into account regional price adjustments that influence compensation levels. Given the relatively small number of air traffic controllers employed in the area, which totals just nine, the local job market remains concentrated yet capable of providing robust salaries that reflect industry standards.
About the East Orange Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,736 | $49.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,776 | $61.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $178,855 | $85.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $228,261 | $109.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $255,913 | $123.03 |
Median Salary Position
17.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Orange
In East Orange, NJ, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $152,177 (2026 est.). At $178,855, the local median is 17.76% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in East Orange: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How East Orange Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
East Orange median: $178,855/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Orange Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $176,386 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $151,886 | +17.76% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in East Orange, NJ earn a median of $178,855 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.76% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.40% above the New Jersey state average of $176,386.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Orange has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
East Orange, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $178,855 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $155,256 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$144,829
2025 BLS Actual
$174,374
2026 Current Est.
$178,855
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in East Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $144,829 | Actual |
| 2020 | $153,578 | Actual |
| 2021 | $152,789 | Actual |
| 2022 | $155,733 | Actual |
| 2023 | $161,774 | Actual |
| 2024 | $172,849 | Actual |
| 2025 | $174,374 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $178,855 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $183,452 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Orange metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $144,829 (2019) to $174,374 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $183,452 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,623 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Orange 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) | $103,736 – $128,776 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,776 – $178,855 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $178,855 – $228,261 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $228,261 – $255,913 |
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 East Orange
The financial context for air traffic controllers in East Orange can't be fully appreciated without considering the local cost of living index, which stands at 115.2, indicating that living expenses are above the national average. This figure plays a crucial role in assessing take-home pay and overall purchasing power in the region. Controllers here who aim for the highest pay typically find opportunities in FAA en route centers, which manage extensive high-altitude traffic, and FAA terminal facilities serving major airports. Factors driving the variation in compensation include facility types, shift differentials, and certified professional controller (CPC) status. Maximizing earnings in East Orange may involve strategically seeking night or holiday shifts, capitalizing on mandatory overtime, and pursuing roles at higher-paying facilities. Given the chronic understaffing within the FAA and mandatory retirement practices, there are also unique pathways for both military and civilian applicants to enter this rewarding field.
More salary data for East Orange, NJ:
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 $174,374 for air traffic controllersin the East Orange 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 East Orange 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