Software Developer vs Air Traffic Controller Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Software Developer
$127,401/yr median(+$70,454 · 123.7% more)
Higher pay
Software Developer
Median$127,401
Mean$131,906
10th %ile$78,900
25th %ile$99,989
75th %ile$157,880
90th %ile$187,436
Employed1.7M+
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
Software Developer
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $78,900 |
| 25th percentile | $99,989 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $127,401 |
| 75th percentile | $157,880 |
| 90th percentile | $187,436 |
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
Software Developer
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $174,410 |
| 2 | Washington | $166,540 |
| 3 | New York | $166,180 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $165,210 |
| 5 | Oregon | $142,720 |
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, Software Developer or Air Traffic Controller?
- Software Developer pays more with a median salary of $127,401/year, which is 123.7% more than Air Traffic Controller at $56,947/year.
- What is the salary difference between Software Developer and Air Traffic Controller?
- The median salary difference is $70,454/year (123.7%).
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