Air Traffic Controller salary in New Jersey
Air Traffic Controllers in New Jersey earn a median of $132,230 a year ($63.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $88,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $209,730 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $148,080. New Jersey ranks 21st of 43 states for air traffic controllers pay. There are 0.04 air traffic controllers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.30). The average (mean) salary is $139,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for air traffic controllers in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,460 | $42.53 |
| 25th percentile | $102,730 | $49.39 |
| Median | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| 75th percentile | $179,400 | $86.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $209,730 | $100.83 |
| Average (mean) | $139,660 | $67.14 |
Half of air traffic controllers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,019.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,509.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,085.77 |
| Weekly | $2,542.88 |
| Hourly | $63.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Air Traffic Controller salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $198,590 | 220 |
Highest-paying states for air traffic controllers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia | $191,820 |
| Illinois | $181,560 |
| Georgia | $178,420 |
| Colorado | $177,380 |
| Minnesota | $176,840 |
| Texas | $170,080 |
| Washington | $162,570 |
| California | $160,080 |
| Kansas | $159,700 |
| Indiana | $158,810 |
Related jobs in New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $226,710 | — |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $42,480 | $20.42 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,540 | $19.01 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $67,980 | $32.68 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,100 | $22.16 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $35,350 | $17.00 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $39,470 | $18.98 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a air traffic controller make in New Jersey?
The median salary for air traffic controllers in New Jersey is $132,230 a year, or $63.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $88,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $209,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid air traffic controllers make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of air traffic controllers in New Jersey earn at least $209,730 a year. The top 25% earn $179,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for air traffic controllers in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $88,460 a year, and a quarter of air traffic controllers earn $102,730 or less.
How many air traffic controllers work in New Jersey?
About 190 air traffic controllers are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.