Air Traffic Controllers Salary in Portland, OR-WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Median annual salary $130,060 -10% vs national
Median hourly $62.53
10th percentile $68,250
90th percentile $170,890
Employed locally 110
National median $144,580

Compare Air Traffic Controllers salary & buying power

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Air Traffic Controllers
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Portland, OR-WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $68,250
    25th
    $108,720
    50th (median)
    $130,060
    75th
    $153,150
    90th
    $170,890

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,573 2023 • Census ACS
    Air Traffic Controllers salary vs area income 138% Median Air Traffic Controllers salary is 38% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Air Traffic Controllers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $192,500
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $188,930
    Virginia $185,890
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $184,930
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $182,890
    Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $182,310

    Nearby metros — Air Traffic Controllers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $182,890
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $180,090
    Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $178,310
    Georgia $174,600
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $172,490
    Colorado $172,310

    Related occupations in Portland, OR-WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers $43,190
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $45,550
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $63,500
    Light Truck Drivers $46,620
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $63,980
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $51,470

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Air Traffic Controllers make per hour in Portland?

    The median hourly wage for Air Traffic Controllers in Portland, OR-WA is $62.53, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $82.16 or more per hour.

    Is Portland above or below average for Air Traffic Controllers salaries?

    The median Air Traffic Controllers salary in Portland, OR-WA is 10% below the national median of $144,580. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Air Traffic Controllers in Portland?

    Entry-level Air Traffic Controllers (10th percentile) earn around $68,250 per year in Portland, OR-WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $108,720.