National Salary Overview
VS
Air Traffic Controllers earns $10,865 more (8.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$133,445
$122,580
Average (Mean) Salary
$132,408
$136,493
Total Employment
20,850
47,010
States with Higher Pay
26
15
Salary by State: Air Traffic Controllers vs Commercial Pilots
Showing 41 states where both occupations have BLS data. Air Traffic Controllers pays more in 26 states; Commercial Pilots pays more in 15.
| State | Air Traffic Controllers | Commercial Pilots | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $114,960 | $101,420 | +$13,540 | ||
| Alaska | $123,950 | $100,120 | +$23,830 | ||
| Arizona | $136,800 | $103,060 | +$33,740 | ||
| Arkansas | $109,760 | $94,410 | +$15,350 | ||
| California | $160,080 | $165,590 | $-5,510 | ||
| Colorado | $177,380 | $139,680 | +$37,700 | ||
| Connecticut | $140,940 | $232,160 | $-91,220 | ||
| Florida | $147,530 | $121,890 | +$25,640 | ||
| Georgia | $178,420 | $145,100 | +$33,320 | ||
| Hawaii | $158,700 | $113,030 | +$45,670 | ||
| Illinois | $181,560 | $126,100 | +$55,460 | ||
| Indiana | $158,810 | $104,160 | +$54,650 | ||
| Iowa | $90,790 | $101,800 | $-11,010 | ||
| Kansas | $159,700 | $105,440 | +$54,260 | ||
| Kentucky | $127,800 | $129,990 | $-2,190 | ||
| Louisiana | $99,810 | $95,940 | +$3,870 | ||
| Maine | $107,270 | $117,560 | $-10,290 | ||
| Maryland | $131,290 | $131,210 | +$80 | ||
| Michigan | $118,930 | $126,670 | $-7,740 | ||
| Minnesota | $176,840 | $98,630 | +$78,210 | ||
| Mississippi | $88,110 | $103,640 | $-15,530 | ||
| Missouri | $122,200 | $102,990 | +$19,210 | ||
| Montana | $101,380 | $103,690 | $-2,310 | ||
| Nebraska | $111,710 | $104,780 | +$6,930 | ||
| Nevada | $140,920 | $105,340 | +$35,580 | ||
| New Jersey | $132,230 | $226,710 | $-94,480 | ||
| New Mexico | $148,550 | $97,920 | +$50,630 | ||
| New York | $144,960 | $177,430 | $-32,470 | ||
| North Carolina | $129,230 | $127,310 | +$1,920 | ||
| North Dakota | $107,990 | $133,010 | $-25,020 | ||
| Oklahoma | $123,220 | $126,180 | $-2,960 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $132,350 | $134,030 | $-1,680 | ||
| Rhode Island | $126,300 | $98,820 | +$27,480 | ||
| South Carolina | $112,030 | $105,740 | +$6,290 | ||
| Tennessee | $157,330 | $117,480 | +$39,850 | ||
| Texas | $170,080 | $137,960 | +$32,120 | ||
| Utah | $158,310 | $99,610 | +$58,700 | ||
| Vermont | $109,140 | $137,810 | $-28,670 | ||
| Virginia | $191,820 | $104,890 | +$86,930 | ||
| Washington | $162,570 | $117,730 | +$44,840 | ||
| Wyoming | $93,580 | $102,990 | $-9,410 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Air Traffic Controllers vs Commercial Pilots salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Air Traffic Controllers or Commercial Pilots?
On average across all states, a Air Traffic Controllers earns more than a Commercial Pilots. The national median salary difference is $10,865 (8.9%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Air Traffic Controllers earn more than a Commercial Pilots?
A Air Traffic Controllers earns a higher median salary than a Commercial Pilots in 26 out of 41 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Commercial Pilots pays more in 15 states.
What is the median salary for a Air Traffic Controllers vs Commercial Pilots?
The national median salary for a Air Traffic Controllers is $133,445 per year, compared to $122,580 for a Commercial Pilots, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Air Traffic Controllers or Commercial Pilots?
There are more people employed as Commercial Pilots. BLS reports approximately 20,850 Air Traffic Controllers positions and 47,010 Commercial Pilots positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Air Traffic Controllers or Commercial Pilots?
Both Air Traffic Controllers and Commercial Pilots are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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