Air Traffic Controller vs Airline Pilot Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Airline Pilot
$151,018/yr median(+$95,462 · 171.8% 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
Airline Pilot
Median$151,018
Mean$174,119
10th %ile$84,298
25th %ile$108,165
75th %ile$165,403
90th %ile$172,778
Employed41K+
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 |
Airline Pilot
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $84,298 |
| 25th percentile | $108,165 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $151,018 |
| 75th percentile | $165,403 |
| 90th percentile | $172,778 |
Top Paying States
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Air Traffic Controller or Airline Pilot?
- Airline Pilot pays more with a median salary of $151,018/year, which is 171.8% more than Air Traffic Controller at $55,556/year.
- What is the salary difference between Air Traffic Controller and Airline Pilot?
- The median salary difference is $95,462/year (171.8%).
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