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
$214,428/yr median(+$157,481 · 276.5% more)
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+
Higher pay
Airline Pilot
Median$214,428
Mean$221,734
10th %ile$111,059
25th %ile$145,757
75th %ile$288,442
90th %ile$335,372
Employed87K+
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 |
Airline Pilot
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $111,059 |
| 25th percentile | $145,757 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $214,428 |
| 75th percentile | $288,442 |
| 90th percentile | $335,372 |
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 |
Airline Pilot
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia | $618,090 |
| 2 | Idaho | $507,640 |
| 3 | Michigan | $428,570 |
| 4 | California | $353,900 |
| 5 | Kentucky | $350,950 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Air Traffic Controller or Airline Pilot?
- Airline Pilot pays more with a median salary of $214,428/year, which is 276.5% more than Air Traffic Controller at $56,947/year.
- What is the salary difference between Air Traffic Controller and Airline Pilot?
- The median salary difference is $157,481/year (276.5%).
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