Traffic controller vs combat control

The differences between traffic controllers and combat controls can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a combat control has an average salary of $42,245, 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 a combat control are CCT, air traffic control, and federal aviation administration.

Traffic controller vs combat control overview

	Traffic Controller	Combat Control
Yearly salary	$39,099	$42,245
Hourly rate	$18.80	$20.31
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	17,859	30,959
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	-	-

Traffic controller vs combat control salary

Traffic controllers and combat controls have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Traffic Controller	Combat Control
Average salary	$39,099	$42,245
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $63,000	Between $23,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City	Hartford, CT	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Siemens	-
Best paying industry	Non Profits	-

Differences between traffic controller and combat control education

There are a few differences between a traffic controller and a combat control in terms of educational background:

	Traffic Controller	Combat Control
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common major	Business	Aviation
Most common college	SUNY Farmingdale	SUNY Farmingdale

Traffic controller vs combat control demographics

Here are the differences between traffic controllers' and combat controls' demographics:

	Traffic Controller	Combat Control
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%	Male, 98.2% Female, 1.8%
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, 8.6% Unknown, 7.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 5.2% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between traffic controller and combat control 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.

Combat control example responsibilities.

Lead recruitment and training for first ever associate operational combat flying organization.
Approve employee time cards prior to payroll processing; schedule vacations for laboratory technicians while maintaining daily laboratory operations.
Work closely with IAD ATCT and airlines to coordinate safe and efficient gate and non-movement area transitions.

Traffic controller vs combat control skills

Common traffic controller skills

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

Common combat control skills

CCT, 55%
Air Traffic Control, 36%
Federal Aviation Administration, 4%
Radio Communications, 4%

Traffic Controller vs. similar jobs

Traffic Controller related careers

Traffic Controller related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Traffic Controller
Traffic Controller vs Combat Control

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs