National Salary Overview
VS
Air Traffic Controllers earns $50,287 more (60.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$133,445
$83,157
Average (Mean) Salary
$132,408
$83,682
Total Employment
20,850
27,340
States with Higher Pay
28
1
Salary by State: Air Traffic Controllers vs Locomotive Engineers
Showing 29 states where both occupations have BLS data. Air Traffic Controllers pays more in 28 states; Locomotive Engineers pays more in 1.
| State | Air Traffic Controllers | Locomotive Engineers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $114,960 | $77,600 | +$37,360 | ||
| Arizona | $136,800 | $89,840 | +$46,960 | ||
| Arkansas | $109,760 | $78,930 | +$30,830 | ||
| California | $160,080 | $77,070 | +$83,010 | ||
| Colorado | $177,380 | $89,360 | +$88,020 | ||
| Florida | $147,530 | $92,310 | +$55,220 | ||
| Illinois | $181,560 | $93,320 | +$88,240 | ||
| Indiana | $158,810 | $92,790 | +$66,020 | ||
| Iowa | $90,790 | $89,970 | +$820 | ||
| Kansas | $159,700 | $75,190 | +$84,510 | ||
| Kentucky | $127,800 | $77,620 | +$50,180 | ||
| Louisiana | $99,810 | $64,200 | +$35,610 | ||
| Massachusetts | $125,060 | $108,790 | +$16,270 | ||
| Minnesota | $176,840 | $93,700 | +$83,140 | ||
| Mississippi | $88,110 | $96,710 | $-8,600 | ||
| Missouri | $122,200 | $78,820 | +$43,380 | ||
| Montana | $101,380 | $90,220 | +$11,160 | ||
| New Jersey | $132,230 | $86,550 | +$45,680 | ||
| New Mexico | $148,550 | $88,330 | +$60,220 | ||
| New York | $144,960 | $109,220 | +$35,740 | ||
| North Carolina | $129,230 | $61,190 | +$68,040 | ||
| Oklahoma | $123,220 | $91,970 | +$31,250 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $132,350 | $82,460 | +$49,890 | ||
| South Carolina | $112,030 | $89,290 | +$22,740 | ||
| Tennessee | $157,330 | $81,410 | +$75,920 | ||
| Texas | $170,080 | $79,000 | +$91,080 | ||
| Virginia | $191,820 | $90,780 | +$101,040 | ||
| Washington | $162,570 | $73,750 | +$88,820 | ||
| Wyoming | $93,580 | $78,910 | +$14,670 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Air Traffic Controllers vs Locomotive Engineers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Air Traffic Controllers or Locomotive Engineers?
On average across all states, a Air Traffic Controllers earns more than a Locomotive Engineers. The national median salary difference is $50,287 (60.5%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Air Traffic Controllers earn more than a Locomotive Engineers?
A Air Traffic Controllers earns a higher median salary than a Locomotive Engineers in 28 out of 29 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Locomotive Engineers pays more in 1 states.
What is the median salary for a Air Traffic Controllers vs Locomotive Engineers?
The national median salary for a Air Traffic Controllers is $133,445 per year, compared to $83,157 for a Locomotive Engineers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Air Traffic Controllers or Locomotive Engineers?
There are more people employed as Locomotive Engineers. BLS reports approximately 20,850 Air Traffic Controllers positions and 27,340 Locomotive Engineers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Air Traffic Controllers or Locomotive Engineers?
Both Air Traffic Controllers and Locomotive Engineers 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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