Air Traffic Controller vs Aerospace Engineer Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Aerospace Engineer
$126,293/yr median(+$70,737 · 127.3% more)
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+
Higher pay
Aerospace Engineer
Median$126,293
Mean$131,559
10th %ile$85,586
25th %ile$102,100
75th %ile$156,298
90th %ile$184,321
Employed68K+
Salary Distribution Comparison
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 |
Aerospace Engineer
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $85,586 |
| 25th percentile | $102,100 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $126,293 |
| 75th percentile | $156,298 |
| 90th percentile | $184,321 |
Top Paying States
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 |
Aerospace Engineer
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $175,350 |
| 2 | Washington | $158,600 |
| 3 | Maryland | $158,220 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $152,210 |
| 5 | Colorado | $151,570 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Air Traffic Controller or Aerospace Engineer?
- Aerospace Engineer pays more with a median salary of $126,293/year, which is 127.3% more than Air Traffic Controller at $55,556/year.
- What is the salary difference between Air Traffic Controller and Aerospace Engineer?
- The median salary difference is $70,737/year (127.3%).
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