Air traffic controller vs flight dispatcher

The differences between air traffic controllers and flight dispatchers 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 $41,736 average annual salary of a flight dispatcher.

The top three skills for an air traffic controller include federal aviation administration, air traffic control and NAS. The most important skills for a flight dispatcher are FAA, crew scheduling, and air traffic control.

Air traffic controller vs flight dispatcher overview

	Air Traffic Controller	Flight Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$49,141	$41,736
Hourly rate	$23.63	$20.07
Growth rate	1%	21%
Number of jobs	17,944	8,168
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	38	49
Years of experience	-	-

Air traffic controller vs flight dispatcher salary

Air traffic controllers and flight dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Air Traffic Controller	Flight Dispatcher
Average salary	$49,141	$41,736
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $90,000	Between $25,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	-
Highest paying state	Connecticut	-
Best paying company	SAIC	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between air traffic controller and flight dispatcher education

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

	Air Traffic Controller	Flight Dispatcher
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Aviation	Aviation
Most common college	SUNY Farmingdale	SUNY Farmingdale

Air traffic controller vs flight dispatcher demographics

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

	Air Traffic Controller	Flight Dispatcher
Average age	38	49
Gender ratio	Male, 78.1% Female, 21.9%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
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, 8.6% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 8.7% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	7%	29%

Differences between air traffic controller and flight dispatcher 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.

Flight dispatcher example responsibilities.

Schedule flight crews for assignments, mange corporate aircraft fleet, manage charter customer base, manage record keeping for FAA requirements
Originate and disseminate flight information to others in the company including stations and reservations.
Assist physically challenge passengers as appropriate; provide life-saving assistance to ill or incapacitate passengers, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation if require.

Air traffic controller vs flight dispatcher 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 flight dispatcher skills

FAA, 22%
Crew Scheduling, 11%
Air Traffic Control, 6%
NOTAMs, 5%
Federal Regulations, 5%
Governmental Regulations, 5%

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Air Traffic Controller vs Flight Dispatcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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