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Salary comparison

Agricultural Technicians vs. Air Traffic Controllers: Who Earns More?

Air Traffic Controllerss out-earn Agricultural Technicianss by $98K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Agricultural Technicianss land at $46,790 and Air Traffic Controllerss at $144,580. The education gap is real: agricultural technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while air traffic controller programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Agricultural Technicianss is Arizona ($63,340); for Air Traffic Controllerss it's Virginia ($185,890).

Agricultural Technicians
Air Traffic Controllers
Median salary
$46,790
$144,580
Hourly rate
$22.49/hr
$69.51/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$32,860
$76,090
Senior level (90th %)
$69,010
$210,410
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
14,340
22,400
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Transportation
Top-paying state
Arizona
Virginia

Pay by state

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

State
Agricultural Technicians
Air Traffic Controllers
California
$58,330
$152,010
Minnesota
$55,190
$176,030
Tennessee
$51,170
$153,670
Florida
$49,280
$144,710
Texas
$48,120
$167,710
Utah
$47,840
$156,120
New York
$46,890
$142,190
Washington
$46,710
$164,070
Hawaii
$46,670
$142,040
Nevada
$46,050
$147,700
Georgia
$46,040
$174,600
Indiana
$45,940
$155,790
Kansas
$43,780
$156,620
Illinois
$41,580
$175,090
Virginia
$38,100
$185,890

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Agricultural Technicianss or Air Traffic Controllerss?

Air Traffic Controllerss earn more nationally. The median is $46,790 for Agricultural Technicianss versus $144,580 for Air Traffic Controllerss, a difference of $98K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

Which has better job growth, Agricultural Technicians 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, Agricultural Technicians or Air Traffic Controllers?

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

Where do Agricultural Technicianss get paid the most?

Arizona is the top-paying state for Agricultural Technicianss at $63,340/year, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Agricultural Technicianss earn $58,330 vs. $152,010 for Air Traffic Controllerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Agricultural Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Air Traffic Controllers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Agricultural Technicianss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Air Traffic Controllerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a agricultural techniciansGuide →How to become a air traffic controllersGuide →