Lawyer vs Air Traffic Controller Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Lawyer
$128,445/yr median(+$72,889 · 131.2% more)
Higher pay
Lawyer
Median$128,445
Mean$154,726
10th %ile$68,609
25th %ile$92,192
75th %ile$171,865
90th %ile$208,836
Employed740K+
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
Lawyer
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $68,609 |
| 25th percentile | $92,192 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $128,445 |
| 75th percentile | $171,865 |
| 90th percentile | $208,836 |
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
Lawyer
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $197,790 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $191,880 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $179,050 |
| 4 | New York | $177,210 |
| 5 | Delaware | $172,710 |
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, Lawyer or Air Traffic Controller?
- Lawyer pays more with a median salary of $128,445/year, which is 131.2% more than Air Traffic Controller at $55,556/year.
- What is the salary difference between Lawyer and Air Traffic Controller?
- The median salary difference is $72,889/year (131.2%).