Accountants and Auditors vs. Air Traffic Controllers: Who Earns More?
Air Traffic Controllers out-earn Accountants and Auditors by $64K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Accountants and Auditors land at $83,680 and Air Traffic Controllers at $148,080. The education gap is real: accountants and auditor programs typically require bachelor's degree, while air traffic controller programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Accountants and Auditors is District of Columbia ($111,530); for Air Traffic Controllers it's Virginia ($191,820).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Accountants and Auditors median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Accountants and Auditors or Air Traffic Controllers?
Air Traffic Controllers earn more nationally. The median is $83,680 for Accountants and Auditors versus $148,080 for Air Traffic Controllers, a difference of $64K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Accountants and Auditors or Air Traffic Controllers?
Accountants and Auditors has the better 10-year outlook at 4.6% projected growth, compared to 1.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Accountants and Auditors or Air Traffic Controllers?
Accountants and Auditors typically requires bachelor's degree. Air Traffic Controllers requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Accountants and Auditors get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Accountants and Auditors at $111,530/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Accountants and Auditors vs. Air Traffic Controllers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Accountants and Auditors earn $97,050 vs. $160,080 for Air Traffic Controllers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.