Airline dispatcher vs terminal manager

The differences between airline dispatchers and terminal managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a terminal manager has an average salary of $74,237, which is higher than the $45,071 average annual salary of an airline dispatcher.

The top three skills for an airline dispatcher include FAA, and . The most important skills for a terminal manager are customer service, DOT, and OSHA.

Airline dispatcher vs terminal manager overview

	Airline Dispatcher	Terminal Manager
Yearly salary	$45,071	$74,237
Hourly rate	$21.67	$35.69
Growth rate	1%	6%
Number of jobs	4,408	16,792
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	38	45
Years of experience	-	4

Airline dispatcher vs terminal manager salary

Airline dispatchers and terminal managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Airline Dispatcher	Terminal Manager
Average salary	$45,071	$74,237
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $78,000	Between $55,000 And $99,000
Highest paying City	-	San Leandro, CA
Highest paying state	-	Virginia
Best paying company	-	Hub Group
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between airline dispatcher and terminal manager education

There are a few differences between an airline dispatcher and a terminal manager in terms of educational background:

	Airline Dispatcher	Terminal Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Aviation	Business
Most common college	SUNY Farmingdale	Stanford University

Airline dispatcher vs terminal manager demographics

Here are the differences between airline dispatchers' and terminal managers' demographics:

	Airline Dispatcher	Terminal Manager
Average age	38	45
Gender ratio	Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2%	Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	7%	5%

Differences between airline dispatcher and terminal manager duties and responsibilities

Airline dispatcher example responsibilities.

Manage dot hrs for drivers as far as what tasks can be done in a certain amount of time.
Dispatch aircraft in accordance with FAA regulations and company define policies.
General terminal maintenance including minor electrical, mechanical, and plumbing repairs.
General terminal maintenance including minor electrical, mechanical, and plumbing repairs.

Terminal manager example responsibilities.

Manage all CDL drivers files, medical re-certifications, and random drug and alcohol testing.
Utilize company trucks and outside carriers to achieve proper and JIT deliveries of order goods.
Provide route profitability analysis as directed, manage transportation GPS process.
Manage all truckload and LTL warehouse operations including consolidation and distribution for several customers.
Coordinate logistics process, freight movement, and contractor activities managing inbound/outbound freight, customer service and administration.
Manage inventory of inbound ocean containers, coordinate and schedule TL operations, supervise yard hostlers and manage outbound trailer traffic.

Airline dispatcher vs terminal manager skills

Common airline dispatcher skills

FAA, 100%

Common terminal manager skills

Customer Service, 15%
DOT, 13%
OSHA, 5%
Payroll, 4%
Facility Maintenance, 4%
Customer Satisfaction, 4%

Airline Dispatcher vs. similar jobs

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Airline Dispatcher vs Terminal Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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