Air traffic controller vs air route controller

The differences between air traffic controllers and air route controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an air route controller has an average salary of $76,413, which is higher than the $49,141 average annual salary of an air traffic controller.

Air traffic controller vs air route controller overview

	Air Traffic Controller	Air Route Controller
Yearly salary	$49,141	$76,413
Hourly rate	$23.63	$36.74
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	17,944	21,521
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Associate Degree, 40%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	-	-

Air traffic controller vs air route controller salary

Air traffic controllers and air route controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Air Traffic Controller	Air Route Controller
Average salary	$49,141	$76,413
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $90,000	Between $42,000 And $138,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	-
Highest paying state	Connecticut	-
Best paying company	SAIC	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between air traffic controller and air route controller education

There are a few differences between an air traffic controller and an air route controller in terms of educational background:

	Air Traffic Controller	Air Route Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Associate Degree, 40%
Most common major	Aviation	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	SUNY Farmingdale	Northeastern University

Air traffic controller vs air route controller demographics

Here are the differences between air traffic controllers' and air route controllers' demographics:

	Air Traffic Controller	Air Route Controller
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 78.1% Female, 21.9%	Male, 84.2% Female, 15.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 5.3% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 4.9% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between air traffic controller and air route controller duties and responsibilities

Air traffic controller example responsibilities.

Lead recruitment and training for first ever associate operational combat flying organization.
Assign as SME for the Milstar AFCPT maintenance course.
Represent the hospital by attending the monthly APIC meetings.
Comply with all AWP policies, procedures and safety requirements.
Have certification in traffic control, CPR, and OSHA.
Assist in the creation of several (NOTAMS) notice to airmen.

Air route controller example responsibilities.

Lead recruitment and training for first ever associate operational combat flying organization.
Plan and control the movement of the patients while transiting the DoD air evacuation system
Implement ERP system for entire organization, including development of operational processes with business partners for inventory, production and sales.
Provide leadership and training to incoming airmen and volunteer for many USAF organizations.

Air traffic controller vs air route controller skills

Common air traffic controller skills

Federal Aviation Administration, 21%
Air Traffic Control, 20%
NAS, 18%
Maximize Safety, 3%
CTO, 3%
Emergency Situations, 3%

Common air route controller skills

Air Traffic Controller vs. similar jobs

Air Traffic Controller related careers

Air Traffic Controller related jobs

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Air Traffic Controller
Air Traffic Controller vs Air Route Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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