Aircraft controller vs air traffic controller

The differences between aircraft controllers and air traffic controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an aircraft controller has an average salary of $52,695, which is higher than the $49,141 average annual salary of an air traffic controller.

The top three skills for an aircraft controller include test equipment, and . The most important skills for an air traffic controller are federal aviation administration, air traffic control, and NAS.

Aircraft controller vs air traffic controller overview

	Aircraft Controller	Air Traffic Controller
Yearly salary	$52,695	$49,141
Hourly rate	$25.33	$23.63
Growth rate	-	1%
Number of jobs	17,024	17,944
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	34	38
Years of experience	-	-

Aircraft controller vs air traffic controller salary

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

	Aircraft Controller	Air Traffic Controller
Average salary	$52,695	$49,141
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $111,000	Between $26,000 And $90,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	SAIC
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between aircraft controller and air traffic controller education

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

	Aircraft Controller	Air Traffic Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Aviation	Aviation
Most common college	-	SUNY Farmingdale

Aircraft controller vs air traffic controller demographics

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

	Aircraft Controller	Air Traffic Controller
Average age	34	38
Gender ratio	Male, 79.4% Female, 20.6%	Male, 78.1% Female, 21.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 4.4% White, 71.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	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%
LGBT Percentage	20%	7%

Differences between aircraft controller and air traffic controller duties and responsibilities

Aircraft controller example responsibilities.

Lead the operational planning and logistical support of personnel and equipment deployments for exercises and combat operations.
Lead the operational planning and logistical support of personnel and equipment deployments for exercises and combat operations.
Coordinate ELINT requests with intel planners to accurately portray exercise country electronic warfare posture.

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.

Aircraft controller vs air traffic controller skills

Common aircraft controller skills

Test Equipment, 100%

Common air traffic controller skills

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

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Aircraft Controller vs Air Traffic Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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