Actuary vs Air Traffic Controller Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Actuary
$121,524/yr median(+$65,968 · 118.7% more)
Higher pay
Actuary
Median$121,524
Mean$128,392
10th %ile$73,842
25th %ile$89,890
75th %ile$156,664
90th %ile$186,419
Employed27K+
Air Traffic Controller
Median$55,556
Mean$58,768
10th %ile$36,812
25th %ile$44,273
75th %ile$70,911
90th %ile$85,185
Employed14K+
Salary Distribution Comparison
Actuary
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $73,842 |
| 25th percentile | $89,890 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $121,524 |
| 75th percentile | $156,664 |
| 90th percentile | $186,419 |
Air Traffic Controller
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,812 |
| 25th percentile | $44,273 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $55,556 |
| 75th percentile | $70,911 |
| 90th percentile | $85,185 |
Top Paying States
Actuary
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $153,340 |
| 2 | Washington | $153,260 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $148,220 |
| 4 | Alabama | $143,230 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $137,330 |
Air Traffic Controller
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $82,540 |
| 2 | Arizona | $80,260 |
| 3 | Alabama | $78,270 |
| 4 | Texas | $77,460 |
| 5 | Oregon | $75,710 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Actuary or Air Traffic Controller?
- Actuary pays more with a median salary of $121,524/year, which is 118.7% more than Air Traffic Controller at $55,556/year.
- What is the salary difference between Actuary and Air Traffic Controller?
- The median salary difference is $65,968/year (118.7%).