Data Analyst vs Air Traffic Controller Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Data Analyst
$76,585/yr median(+$19,638 · 34.5% more)
Higher pay
Data Analyst
Median$76,585
Mean$87,165
10th %ile$54,165
25th %ile$61,463
75th %ile$101,795
90th %ile$146,362
Employed2K+
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
Data Analyst
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $54,165 |
| 25th percentile | $61,463 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $76,585 |
| 75th percentile | $101,795 |
| 90th percentile | $146,362 |
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
Data Analyst
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $180,500 |
| 2 | North Carolina | $101,850 |
| 3 | Texas | $93,090 |
| 4 | Illinois | $81,090 |
| 5 | New York | $79,460 |
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, Data Analyst or Air Traffic Controller?
- Data Analyst pays more with a median salary of $76,585/year, which is 34.5% more than Air Traffic Controller at $56,947/year.
- What is the salary difference between Data Analyst and Air Traffic Controller?
- The median salary difference is $19,638/year (34.5%).
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