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
$105,416/yr median(+$48,469 · 85.1% more)
Higher pay
Mechanical Engineer
Median$105,416
Mean$110,678
10th %ile$72,421
25th %ile$86,092
75th %ile$130,180
90th %ile$156,351
Employed291K+
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
Mechanical Engineer
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $72,421 |
| 25th percentile | $86,092 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $105,416 |
| 75th percentile | $130,180 |
| 90th percentile | $156,351 |
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
Mechanical Engineer
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $157,710 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| 3 | California | $130,900 |
| 4 | Delaware | $125,130 |
| 5 | Colorado | $124,430 |
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, Mechanical Engineer or Air Traffic Controller?
- Mechanical Engineer pays more with a median salary of $105,416/year, which is 85.1% more than Air Traffic Controller at $56,947/year.
- What is the salary difference between Mechanical Engineer and Air Traffic Controller?
- The median salary difference is $48,469/year (85.1%).
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