Traffic controller vs air traffic instructor

The differences between traffic controllers and air traffic instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an air traffic instructor has an average salary of $52,753, 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 traffic instructor are course curriculum, training programs, and air traffic control.

Traffic controller vs air traffic instructor overview

	Traffic Controller	Air Traffic Instructor
Yearly salary	$39,099	$52,753
Hourly rate	$18.80	$25.36
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	17,859	27,096
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	-	-

Traffic controller vs air traffic instructor salary

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

	Traffic Controller	Air Traffic Instructor
Average salary	$39,099	$52,753
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $63,000	Between $33,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City	Hartford, CT	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Siemens	-
Best paying industry	Non Profits	-

Differences between traffic controller and air traffic instructor education

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

	Traffic Controller	Air Traffic Instructor
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY Farmingdale	SUNY Farmingdale

Traffic controller vs air traffic instructor demographics

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

	Traffic Controller	Air Traffic Instructor
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%	Male, 82.3% Female, 17.7%
Race ratio	Black 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, 9.6% Unknown, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 5.2% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between traffic controller and air traffic instructor 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.

Air traffic instructor example responsibilities.

Lead unit Information/Personnel/Industrial security programs to ensure unit meet DoD mandates.
Lead recruitment and training for first ever associate operational combat flying organization.
Progress student understanding of online course material by producing accompanying PowerPoint presentations and employing discussion and live computer demonstrations.
Cover the fundamental concepts of chemistry and biology including cell biology, metabolism, microbiology, genetics, evolution and histology.
Prepare documents relate to cargo shipping (HAWB, MAWB, manifest, etc . )

Traffic controller vs air traffic instructor skills

Common traffic controller skills

Construction Sites, 13%
DOT, 10%
Safety Regulations, 10%
Safety Procedures, 7%
Direct Traffic, 7%
TMA, 6%

Common air traffic instructor skills

Course Curriculum, 18%
Training Programs, 11%
Air Traffic Control, 10%
USAF, 9%
Federal Aviation Administration, 8%
Curriculum Design, 7%

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Traffic Controller vs Air Traffic Instructor

Updated January 8, 2025

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