Air traffic controller vs airport tower controller

The differences between air traffic controllers and airport tower controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an air traffic controller has an average salary of $49,141, which is higher than the $47,146 average annual salary of an airport tower controller.

The top three skills for an air traffic controller include federal aviation administration, air traffic control and NAS. The most important skills for an airport tower controller are FAA, radio communications, and air traffic control.

Air traffic controller vs airport tower controller overview

	Air Traffic Controller	Airport Tower Controller
Yearly salary	$49,141	$47,146
Hourly rate	$23.63	$22.67
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	17,944	15,879
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	-	-

Air traffic controller vs airport tower controller salary

Air traffic controllers and airport tower controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Air Traffic Controller	Airport Tower Controller
Average salary	$49,141	$47,146
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $90,000	Between $24,000 And $91,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	-
Highest paying state	Connecticut	-
Best paying company	SAIC	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between air traffic controller and airport tower controller education

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

	Air Traffic Controller	Airport Tower Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Aviation	Business
Most common college	SUNY Farmingdale	SUNY Farmingdale

Air traffic controller vs airport tower controller demographics

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

	Air Traffic Controller	Airport Tower Controller
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 78.1% Female, 21.9%	Male, 85.3% Female, 14.7%
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 airport tower 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.

Airport tower controller example responsibilities.

Utilize Reynolds and Reynolds DMS.
Participate in GPS and web-base scheduling pilot.
Produce weekly ADP payroll (outsource).
Track routes and vehicles in real time via proprietary GPS system.
Monitor and update ever-changing FAA regulatory and policy requirements affecting local and national ATC procedures.
Work closely with IAD ATCT and airlines to coordinate safe and efficient gate and non-movement area transitions.

Air traffic controller vs airport tower 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 airport tower controller skills

FAA, 36%
Radio Communications, 35%
Air Traffic Control, 29%

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Air Traffic Controller vs Airport Tower Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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