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
$73,219/yr median(+$17,663 · 31.8% more)
Higher pay
Data Analyst
Median$73,219
Mean$80,490
10th %ile$45,018
25th %ile$57,897
75th %ile$96,049
90th %ile$119,814
Employed4K+
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+
Salary Distribution Comparison
Data Analyst
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,018 |
| 25th percentile | $57,897 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $73,219 |
| 75th percentile | $96,049 |
| 90th percentile | $119,814 |
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 |
Top Paying States
Data Analyst
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $175,170 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $100,740 |
| 3 | North Carolina | $98,010 |
| 4 | Arizona | $92,500 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $89,150 |
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Data Analyst or Air Traffic Controller?
- Data Analyst pays more with a median salary of $73,219/year, which is 31.8% more than Air Traffic Controller at $55,556/year.
- What is the salary difference between Data Analyst and Air Traffic Controller?
- The median salary difference is $17,663/year (31.8%).
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