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Salary comparison

Acupuncturists vs. Air Traffic Controllers: Who Earns More?

Air Traffic Controllerss out-earn Acupuncturistss by $66K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Acupuncturistss land at $78,140 and Air Traffic Controllerss at $144,580. The education gap is real: acupuncturist programs typically require master's degree, while air traffic controller programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Acupuncturistss is Florida ($183,530); for Air Traffic Controllerss it's Virginia ($185,890).

Acupuncturists
Air Traffic Controllers
Median salary
$78,140
$144,580
Hourly rate
$37.57/hr
$69.51/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$41,840
$76,090
Senior level (90th %)
$158,540
$210,410
Education required
Master's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
8,440
22,400
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Healthcare
Transportation
Top-paying state
Florida
Virginia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Acupuncturists median pay.

State
Acupuncturists
Air Traffic Controllers
Florida
$183,530
$144,710
Minnesota
$124,640
$176,030
New York
$93,610
$142,190
Arizona
$87,780
$130,960
New Jersey
$86,550
$135,470
New Mexico
$83,220
$145,290
Kentucky
$82,220
$126,550
Texas
$82,170
$167,710
Alaska
$82,040
$120,370
California
$77,640
$152,010
Indiana
$73,850
$155,790
Washington
$73,420
$164,070
North Carolina
$73,100
$120,580
Georgia
$60,440
$174,600
Idaho
$37,430
$117,150

Source: BLS OEWS May 2024. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Acupuncturistss or Air Traffic Controllerss?

Air Traffic Controllerss earn more nationally. The median is $78,140 for Acupuncturistss versus $144,580 for Air Traffic Controllerss, a difference of $66K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

Which has better job growth, Acupuncturists or Air Traffic Controllers?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Acupuncturists or Air Traffic Controllers?

Acupuncturists typically requires master's degree. Air Traffic Controllers requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Acupuncturistss get paid the most?

Florida is the top-paying state for Acupuncturistss at $183,530/year, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Acupuncturists vs. Air Traffic Controllers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Florida, Acupuncturistss earn $183,530 vs. $144,710 for Air Traffic Controllerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Acupuncturists salary breakdownView →Full Air Traffic Controllers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Acupuncturistss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Air Traffic Controllerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a acupuncturistsGuide →How to become a air traffic controllersGuide →