Traffic controller vs flight control specialist

The differences between traffic controllers and flight control specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a flight control specialist has an average salary of $42,066, 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 flight control specialist are test equipment, flight control systems, and troubleshoot.

Traffic controller vs flight control specialist overview

	Traffic Controller	Flight Control Specialist
Yearly salary	$39,099	$42,066
Hourly rate	$18.80	$20.22
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	17,859	32,908
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	Associate Degree, 45%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	-	-

Traffic controller vs flight control specialist salary

Traffic controllers and flight control specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Traffic Controller	Flight Control Specialist
Average salary	$39,099	$42,066
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $63,000	Between $24,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City	Hartford, CT	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Siemens	-
Best paying industry	Non Profits	-

Differences between traffic controller and flight control specialist education

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

	Traffic Controller	Flight Control Specialist
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	Associate Degree, 45%
Most common major	Business	Automotive Technology
Most common college	SUNY Farmingdale	SUNY Farmingdale

Traffic controller vs flight control specialist demographics

Here are the differences between traffic controllers' and flight control specialists' demographics:

	Traffic Controller	Flight Control Specialist
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%	Male, 89.5% Female, 10.5%
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, 17.6% Asian, 5.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between traffic controller and flight control specialist 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.

Flight control specialist example responsibilities.

Furnish key initiative in all parts of government and commercial contract/compliance and manage transportation, logistics and substance contracting exercises.
Collaborate extensively with U.S. military logistics units to ensure up-to-date processes, procedures, and authorizations for distribution of government property.
Serve as shift supervisor for ECM shop at RAF Lakenheath, UK.
Develop automation software for Allen-Bradley ContgrolLogix PLC and PanelView operator interface for chemical pumping system.

Traffic controller vs flight control specialist skills

Common traffic controller skills

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

Common flight control specialist skills

Test Equipment, 33%
Flight Control Systems, 19%
Troubleshoot, 7%
FAA, 7%
Navigation Systems, 6%
Technical Data, 5%

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Traffic Controller
Traffic Controller vs Flight Control Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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