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Traffic controller vs air tour pilot

The differences between traffic controllers and air tour pilots can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an air tour pilot has an average salary of $101,440, which is higher than the $39,099 average annual salary of a traffic controller.

The top three skills for a traffic controller include construction sites, DOT and safety regulations. The most important skills for an air tour pilot are PIC, customer service, and UAV.

Traffic controller vs air tour pilot overview

Traffic ControllerAir Tour Pilot
Yearly salary$39,099$101,440
Hourly rate$18.80$48.77
Growth rate1%6%
Number of jobs17,8593,885
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age3844
Years of experience-4

What does a traffic controller do?

The primary role of a traffic controller is to direct the flow of machinery and vehicles on roads and any other work sites. Traffic controllers coordinate, setup, manage, and remove traffic control. They direct traffic in disruption areas like accidents, planned maintenance, building sites, and roadworks. They have to direct pedestrians for safety maintenance around road conditions and changed vehicles. They need to be keen on directing traffic flow.

What does an air tour pilot do?

Air Tour Pilots fly and navigate helicopters, planes, or any other aircraft providing rides to tourists. The pilot's transport passengers between local destinations, answer queries regarding the areas they pass by, or explain sightseeing opportunities. They usually work for certain companies to transport cargo on their fixed schedules. They conduct safety audits for operations specifications to ensure that the aircraft operates within the safety margins. Also, they take part in station leadership teams representing flight operations.

Traffic controller vs air tour pilot salary

Traffic controllers and air tour pilots have different pay scales, as shown below.

Traffic ControllerAir Tour Pilot
Average salary$39,099$101,440
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $63,000Between $78,000 And $131,000
Highest paying CityHartford, CT-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companySiemens-
Best paying industryNon Profits-

Differences between traffic controller and air tour pilot education

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

Traffic ControllerAir Tour Pilot
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorBusinessAviation
Most common collegeSUNY FarmingdaleSUNY Farmingdale

Traffic controller vs air tour pilot demographics

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

Traffic ControllerAir Tour Pilot
Average age3844
Gender ratioMale, 66.2% Female, 33.8%Male, 97.1% Female, 2.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 5.4% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.8% Asian, 2.7% White, 82.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage7%9%

Differences between traffic controller and air tour pilot duties and responsibilities

Traffic controller example responsibilities.

  • Lead team providing cargo, personal property and passenger movements for DoD personnel.
  • Provide support for traffic control set-ups within ATSSA compliance and regulations.
  • Control air and grind traffic movement for private, commercial, and military aircraft in IFR and VFR conditions.
  • Ensure compliance with FAA, USAF, ANG and all local directives.
  • Register traffic controller, certify in CPR and first aid.
  • Direct staff training and the FAA qualification of facility personnel.
  • Show more

Air tour pilot example responsibilities.

  • Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
  • Assist with all aspects of administration, logistics and equipment inventory, ensuring successful financial execution.
  • Perform air refueling, airlift, navigation, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Traffic controller vs air tour pilot skills

Common traffic controller skills
  • Construction Sites, 13%
  • DOT, 10%
  • Safety Regulations, 10%
  • Safety Procedures, 7%
  • Direct Traffic, 7%
  • TMA, 6%
Common air tour pilot skills
  • PIC, 94%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • UAV, 2%

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