Administrative Assistant vs Air Traffic Controller Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Air Traffic Controller
$56,947/yr median(+$9,935 · 21.1% more)
Administrative Assistant
Median$47,012
Mean$48,292
10th %ile$33,791
25th %ile$39,585
75th %ile$55,238
90th %ile$64,285
Employed1.7M+
Higher pay
Air Traffic Controller
Median$56,947
Mean$60,132
10th %ile$38,270
25th %ile$45,062
75th %ile$74,014
90th %ile$85,581
Employed13K+
Salary Distribution Comparison
Administrative Assistant
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,791 |
| 25th percentile | $39,585 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $47,012 |
| 75th percentile | $55,238 |
| 90th percentile | $64,285 |
Air Traffic Controller
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,270 |
| 25th percentile | $45,062 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $56,947 |
| 75th percentile | $74,014 |
| 90th percentile | $85,581 |
Top Paying States
Administrative Assistant
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $59,910 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $57,940 |
| 3 | Washington | $57,330 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $57,210 |
| 5 | California | $55,400 |
Air Traffic Controller
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky | $123,290 |
| 2 | Washington | $84,050 |
| 3 | Alabama | $78,590 |
| 4 | Arizona | $77,570 |
| 5 | Colorado | $77,500 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Administrative Assistant or Air Traffic Controller?
- Air Traffic Controller pays more with a median salary of $56,947/year, which is 21.1% more than Administrative Assistant at $47,012/year.
- What is the salary difference between Administrative Assistant and Air Traffic Controller?
- The median salary difference is $9,935/year (21.1%).
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