Air Traffic Controller Salary in Woodburn, OR: $161,424 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time air traffic controller in Woodburn, OR earns a median $161,424/year (≈ $77.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2021). Once you factor in Woodburn's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $157,333 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, air traffic controllers in Woodburn, Oregon, will see a median annual salary of $161,424, which is slightly higher than the national median of $151,886, reflecting a local market that offers competitive pay for this critical profession. The salary range for controllers in the area spans from $93,626 at the 10th percentile to $226,221 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability based on factors such as facility tier and experience. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, suggest that controllers at en route facilities are likely to command the highest wages, while those at terminal and tower facilities may earn comparatively less due to the differences in responsibilities and traffic management complexities. In Woodburn, the demand for skilled professionals remains a vital factor in shaping compensation packages in this sector.
About the Woodburn Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,626 | $45.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,225 | $55.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $161,424 | $77.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $204,717 | $98.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $226,221 | $108.77 |
Median Salary Position
6.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woodburn
In Woodburn, OR, the air traffic controller salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,595 (2026 est.). At $161,424, the local median is 6.28% above the national median of $151,886.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Woodburn: You'd be above the median
How Woodburn Air Traffic Controller Pay Compares
Woodburn median: $161,424/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Woodburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $164,048 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $151,886 | +6.28% more |
Air Traffic Controllers in Woodburn, OR earn a median of $161,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.28% higher than the national median of $151,886 and 1.60% below the Oregon state average of $164,048.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Woodburn has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Woodburn, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $161,424 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $157,333 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$130,713
2025 BLS Actual
$157,379
2026 Current Est.
$161,424
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Air Traffic Controllers in Woodburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.57% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $130,713 | Actual |
| 2020 | $138,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,898 | Actual |
| 2022 | $140,555 | Actual |
| 2023 | $146,007 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,305 | Actual |
| 2025 | $157,379 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $161,424 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,572 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Woodburn metropolitan area, the median air traffic controller salary grew 20.4% from $130,713 (2019) to $157,379 (2025). At a 2.57% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $165,572 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,859 (26.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woodburn 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) | $93,626 – $116,225 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,225 – $161,424 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $161,424 – $204,717 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $204,717 – $226,221 |
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 Woodburn
With only four air traffic controllers employed in Woodburn, the local job market is relatively small yet stable, offering distinct advantages and challenges for those entering the field. The cost of living index in Woodburn is 102.6, which is slightly above the national average, influencing the real take-home pay for controllers. In Woodburn, controllers working in FAA en route centers generally earn the most, compared to those in terminal radar approach control (TRACONs) or airport traffic control towers. Factors contributing to pay discrepancies include facility level, CPC certification status, and additional compensation from shift differentials and overtime. Given the chronic understaffing in the FAA sector, strategies such as seeking en route opportunities, understanding locality pay differences, and maximizing overtime can significantly enhance air traffic controller pay in Woodburn, OR.
More salary data for Woodburn, 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 $157,379 for air traffic controllersin the Woodburn 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 Woodburn 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