Traffic controller vs airport tower controller

The differences between traffic controllers and airport tower controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an airport tower controller has an average salary of $47,146, 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 airport tower controller are FAA, radio communications, and air traffic control.

Traffic controller vs airport tower controller overview

	Traffic Controller	Airport Tower Controller
Yearly salary	$39,099	$47,146
Hourly rate	$18.80	$22.67
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	17,859	15,879
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	-	-

Traffic controller vs airport tower controller salary

Traffic controllers and airport tower controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Traffic Controller	Airport Tower Controller
Average salary	$39,099	$47,146
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $63,000	Between $24,000 And $91,000
Highest paying City	Hartford, CT	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Siemens	-
Best paying industry	Non Profits	-

Differences between traffic controller and airport tower controller education

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

	Traffic Controller	Airport Tower Controller
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY Farmingdale	SUNY Farmingdale

Traffic controller vs airport tower controller demographics

Here are the differences between traffic controllers' and airport tower controllers' demographics:

	Traffic Controller	Airport Tower Controller
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%	Male, 85.3% Female, 14.7%
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, 5.9% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 4.9% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between traffic controller and airport tower controller 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.

Airport tower controller example responsibilities.

Utilize Reynolds and Reynolds DMS.
Participate in GPS and web-base scheduling pilot.
Produce weekly ADP payroll (outsource).
Track routes and vehicles in real time via proprietary GPS system.
Monitor and update ever-changing FAA regulatory and policy requirements affecting local and national ATC procedures.
Work closely with IAD ATCT and airlines to coordinate safe and efficient gate and non-movement area transitions.

Traffic controller vs airport tower controller skills

Common traffic controller skills

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

Common airport tower controller skills

FAA, 36%
Radio Communications, 35%
Air Traffic Control, 29%

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Traffic Controller vs Airport Tower Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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