Electrical Engineer vs Air Traffic Controller Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Electrical Engineer
$114,434/yr median(+$57,487 · 100.9% more)
Higher pay
Electrical Engineer
Median$114,434
Mean$119,150
10th %ile$76,368
25th %ile$91,148
75th %ile$140,958
90th %ile$167,503
Employed192K+
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
Electrical Engineer
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $76,368 |
| 25th percentile | $91,148 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $114,434 |
| 75th percentile | $140,958 |
| 90th percentile | $167,503 |
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
Electrical Engineer
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $158,520 |
| 2 | California | $144,040 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $143,000 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $135,710 |
| 5 | Washington | $132,710 |
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, Electrical Engineer or Air Traffic Controller?
- Electrical Engineer pays more with a median salary of $114,434/year, which is 100.9% more than Air Traffic Controller at $56,947/year.
- What is the salary difference between Electrical Engineer and Air Traffic Controller?
- The median salary difference is $57,487/year (100.9%).
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