Air Traffic Controller Salary in New Jersey
State-level salary data from BLS OES and H-1B filings
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (NJ)
$42,480
$20.42/hr
vs National Average
$56,947
-25.4% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$42K – $94K
Salary Distribution — Air Traffic Controller in New Jersey
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,480 |
| 25th percentile | $42,480 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $42,480 |
| 75th percentile | $62,340 |
| 90th percentile | $94,040 |
Top-Paying Industries for Air Traffic Controller (U.S.)
Which industries pay Air Traffic Controllers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Air Traffic Controllers in New Jersey tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $103,820 | — |
| Manufacturing | $88,420 | 150 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $70,590 | 160 |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $60,850 | 4K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $49,820 | 10K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Air Traffic Controller in New Jersey vs National
| Year | Median Salary (New Jersey) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $78,450 |
| 2024 | $41,450 |
| 2025 | $42,480 |
| 2026 (projected) | $43,536 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | New Jersey Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $78,450 | $53,742 |
| 2024 | $41,450 | $55,556 |
| 2025 | $42,480 | $56,947 |
| 2026 (projected) | $43,536 | $58,362 |
Air Traffic Controller Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $42,480 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $42,480 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $62,340 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $94,040 |
Air Traffic Controller Salary in Other States
Related Air Traffic Controller Salaries in New Jersey
How other high-demand occupations in New Jersey compare to Air Traffic Controller ($42,480 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Air Traffic Controller | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Supervisor in NJ | $105,510 | +148.4% | $50.73/hr |
| Plumber in NJ | $78,240 | +84.2% | $37.62/hr |
| Electrician in NJ | $77,250 | +81.9% | $37.14/hr |
| Construction Laborer in NJ | $64,060 | +50.8% | $30.80/hr |
| Automotive Service Technician in NJ | $56,610 | +33.3% | $27.22/hr |
| Maintenance and Repair Worker in NJ | $54,810 | +29.0% | $26.35/hr |
| Receptionist in NJ | $41,650 | -2.0% | $20.02/hr |
| Waiter and Waitress in NJ | $44,960 | +5.8% | $21.62/hr |
| Pharmacy Technician in NJ | $39,610 | -6.8% | $19.04/hr |
| Security Guard in NJ | $38,880 | -8.5% | $18.69/hr |
| Restaurant Cook in NJ | $38,460 | -9.5% | $18.49/hr |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) in NJ | $46,830 | +10.2% | $22.51/hr |