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Advertising and Promotions Managers vs. Air Traffic Controllers: Who Earns More?

Air Traffic Controllers out-earn Advertising and Promotions Managers by $14K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Advertising and Promotions Managers land at $133,660 and Air Traffic Controllers at $148,080. The education gap is real: advertising and promotions manager programs typically require bachelor's degree, while air traffic controller programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Advertising and Promotions Managers is New York ($173,700); for Air Traffic Controllers it's Virginia ($191,820).

Advertising and Promotions Managers
Air Traffic Controllers
Median salary
$133,660
$148,080
Hourly rate
$64.26/hr
$71.19/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$63,300
$78,420
Senior level (90th %)
$286,240
$215,610
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
21,470
22,510
Job growth (10-year)
-2.2%
1.2%
Category
Management
Transportation
Top-paying state
New York
Virginia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Advertising and Promotions Managers median pay.

State
Advertising and Promotions Managers
Air Traffic Controllers
New York
$173,700
$144,960
Illinois
$167,330
$181,560
California
$167,230
$160,080
New Jersey
$165,390
$132,230
Colorado
$164,990
$177,380
Washington
$163,380
$162,570
Kansas
$148,560
$159,700
Virginia
$148,400
$191,820
Georgia
$133,810
$178,420
Connecticut
$129,280
$140,940
Minnesota
$126,920
$176,840
Pennsylvania
$122,940
$132,350
Indiana
$113,930
$158,810
Texas
$104,170
$170,080
Tennessee
$98,170
$157,330

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Advertising and Promotions Managers or Air Traffic Controllers?

Air Traffic Controllers earn more nationally. The median is $133,660 for Advertising and Promotions Managers versus $148,080 for Air Traffic Controllers, a difference of $14K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Advertising and Promotions Managers or Air Traffic Controllers?

Air Traffic Controllers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.2% projected growth, compared to -2.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Advertising and Promotions Managers or Air Traffic Controllers?

Advertising and Promotions Managers typically requires bachelor's degree. Air Traffic Controllers requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Advertising and Promotions Managers get paid the most?

New York is the top-paying state for Advertising and Promotions Managers at $173,700/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Advertising and Promotions Managers vs. Air Traffic Controllers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Advertising and Promotions Managers earn $173,700 vs. $144,960 for Air Traffic Controllers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Advertising and Promotions Managers salary breakdownView →Full Air Traffic Controllers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Advertising and Promotions Managers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Air Traffic Controllers by take-home payExplore →How to become a advertising and promotions managersGuide →How to become a air traffic controllersGuide →