Mechanical Engineer vs Air Traffic Controller Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Mechanical Engineer
$102,901/yr median(+$47,345 · 85.2% more)
Higher pay
Mechanical Engineer
Median$102,901
Mean$107,612
10th %ile$69,205
25th %ile$83,337
75th %ile$127,130
90th %ile$150,144
Employed286K+
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
Mechanical Engineer
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $69,205 |
| 25th percentile | $83,337 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $102,901 |
| 75th percentile | $127,130 |
| 90th percentile | $150,144 |
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
Mechanical Engineer
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $141,490 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $130,000 |
| 3 | Alaska | $129,990 |
| 4 | California | $126,370 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $122,670 |
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, Mechanical Engineer or Air Traffic Controller?
- Mechanical Engineer pays more with a median salary of $102,901/year, which is 85.2% more than Air Traffic Controller at $55,556/year.
- What is the salary difference between Mechanical Engineer and Air Traffic Controller?
- The median salary difference is $47,345/year (85.2%).
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