Traffic controller vs flight dispatcher

The differences between traffic controllers and flight dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a flight dispatcher has an average salary of $41,736, 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 dispatcher are FAA, crew scheduling, and air traffic control.

Traffic controller vs flight dispatcher overview

	Traffic Controller	Flight Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$39,099	$41,736
Hourly rate	$18.80	$20.07
Growth rate	1%	21%
Number of jobs	17,859	8,168
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	38	49
Years of experience	-	-

Traffic controller vs flight dispatcher salary

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

	Traffic Controller	Flight Dispatcher
Average salary	$39,099	$41,736
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $63,000	Between $25,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	Hartford, CT	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Siemens	-
Best paying industry	Non Profits	-

Differences between traffic controller and flight dispatcher education

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

	Traffic Controller	Flight Dispatcher
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Business	Aviation
Most common college	SUNY Farmingdale	SUNY Farmingdale

Traffic controller vs flight dispatcher demographics

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

	Traffic Controller	Flight Dispatcher
Average age	38	49
Gender ratio	Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
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, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 8.7% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	7%	29%

Differences between traffic controller and flight dispatcher 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 dispatcher example responsibilities.

Schedule flight crews for assignments, mange corporate aircraft fleet, manage charter customer base, manage record keeping for FAA requirements
Originate and disseminate flight information to others in the company including stations and reservations.
Assist physically challenge passengers as appropriate; provide life-saving assistance to ill or incapacitate passengers, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation if require.

Traffic controller vs flight dispatcher skills

Common traffic controller skills

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

Common flight dispatcher skills

FAA, 22%
Crew Scheduling, 11%
Air Traffic Control, 6%
NOTAMs, 5%
Federal Regulations, 5%
Governmental Regulations, 5%

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Traffic Controller vs Flight Dispatcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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