Air Traffic Controller vs Administrative Assistant 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)
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+
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+
Salary Distribution Comparison
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 |
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 |
Top Paying States
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 |
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Air Traffic Controller or Administrative Assistant?
- 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 Air Traffic Controller and Administrative Assistant?
- The median salary difference is $9,935/year (21.1%).
Compare Different Jobs
Related Comparisons
Air Traffic Controller vs AccountantAir Traffic Controller vs ActuaryAir Traffic Controller vs Administrative Services ManagerAir Traffic Controller vs Aerospace EngineerAdministrative Assistant vs AccountantAdministrative Assistant vs ActuaryAdministrative Assistant vs Administrative Services ManagerAdministrative Assistant vs Aerospace Engineer