Air Traffic Controller.
Jersey City.
$160,000
median salary, 25% above the national average
$115,000 to $215,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Air Traffic Controller offer in Jersey City, NJ, here is the reality: $115,000 to $215,000, with $160,000 as the midpoint. 25% above the national average. Facility level is the dominant factor, with controllers at high-traffic terminals and en-route centers earning significantly more than those at smaller towers. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $144,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$104,000
to $128,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$136,000
to $168,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$176,000
to $208,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$200,000
to $248,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $33,000 to the total package.
Base
$160,000
Equity
$18,000
Bonus
$12,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $193,000
How Jersey City compares
Jersey City, NJ
$160,000
Cost of living: 20% above average
National Average
$128,000
Jersey City is $32,000 above
Air Traffic Controller salary by city
Salary by role in Jersey City
What you should know
Here is what the Air Traffic Controller market actually looks like in Jersey City. Jersey City has become a major financial technology hub, with Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and numerous fintech startups establishing offices. The city offers Manhattan-adjacent salaries with slightly lower costs. Tech employment has surged as companies seek NYC-area talent at reduced overhead. Facility level is the dominant factor, with controllers at high-traffic terminals and en-route centers earning significantly more than those at smaller towers. Geographic locality pay adjustments and overtime availability also create meaningful variance across positions.
Trainees at the FAA Academy earn $40,000 to $55,000. Certified professional controllers at lower-level facilities make $92,000 to $110,000. Moving to a high-level facility pushes pay to $140,000 to $172,000, with supervisory roles reaching $180,000 or more. In Jersey City, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 20% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Federal controllers receive FERS retirement, Thrift Savings Plan matching up to 5%, and locality-adjusted pay. Premium pay for night shifts, holidays, and overtime can add 10 to 25% above base salary. And on the tax side: new Jersey's top income tax rate is 10.75%. Jersey City has a payroll tax but no separate city income tax. The high state rate makes salary negotiation especially important. When someone quotes you $160,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Benchmark against NYC salaries. Jersey City employers offer 90 to 95% of Manhattan pay, and the lower commuting costs can make it a net positive. The range for Air Traffic Controllers in Jersey City runs from $115,000 to $215,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A AI Governance Analyst in Jersey City earns $159,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Jersey City is Distinguished Engineer at $384,000
Common questions.
Air Traffic Controller salary in other cities
Other salaries in Jersey City
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