Ground surveillance systems operator vs tactical air defense controller

The differences between ground surveillance systems operators and tactical air defense controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a ground surveillance systems operator has an average salary of $51,598, which is higher than the $51,597 average annual salary of a tactical air defense controller.

Ground surveillance systems operator vs tactical air defense controller overview

	Ground Surveillance Systems Operator	Tactical Air Defense Controller
Yearly salary	$51,598	$51,597
Hourly rate	$24.81	$24.81
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	84,929	15,589
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 33%	High School Diploma, 55%
Average age	24	24
Years of experience	-	-

Ground surveillance systems operator vs tactical air defense controller salary

Ground surveillance systems operators and tactical air defense controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Ground Surveillance Systems Operator	Tactical Air Defense Controller
Average salary	$51,598	$51,597
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $108,000	Between $24,000 And $108,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between ground surveillance systems operator and tactical air defense controller education

There are a few differences between a ground surveillance systems operator and a tactical air defense controller in terms of educational background:

	Ground Surveillance Systems Operator	Tactical Air Defense Controller
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 33%	High School Diploma, 55%
Most common major	General Studies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Ground surveillance systems operator vs tactical air defense controller demographics

Here are the differences between ground surveillance systems operators' and tactical air defense controllers' demographics:

	Ground Surveillance Systems Operator	Tactical Air Defense Controller
Average age	24	24
Gender ratio	Male, 99.0% Female, 1.0%	Male, 85.7% Female, 14.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 25.9% Asian, 6.0% White, 46.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 5.4% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between ground surveillance systems operator and tactical air defense controller duties and responsibilities

Ground surveillance systems operator example responsibilities.

Lead basic reconnaissance operations and report enemy movements to commanding officers.
Navigate different types of terrain using maps, compasses, and GPS systems for mission accomplishment.
Provide UAV pilots with navigation information for image collection of specific targets, and determine optimal sensor selection.
Implement notification procedures of key personnel during emergencies, natural disaster, and combat situations.

Tactical air defense controller example responsibilities.

Relay C2 instructions for launch, execution, diversion, recall, evacuation, recovery and reconstitution of forces.
Operate radio equipment in order to communicate with transportation, logistics, field personnel, and remote operations.

Ground surveillance systems operator vs tactical air defense controller skills

Common ground surveillance systems operator skills

Secret Security Clearance, 47%
UAS, 21%
ISR, 20%
Aerial Photographs, 12%

Common tactical air defense controller skills

Ground Surveillance Systems Operator vs. similar jobs

Ground Surveillance Systems Operator related careers

Ground Surveillance Systems Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

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Ground Surveillance Systems Operator
Ground Surveillance Systems Operator vs Tactical Air Defense Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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