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Salary comparison

Air Traffic Controllers vs. Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors: Who Earns More?

Air Traffic Controllerss out-earn Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisorss by $81K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Air Traffic Controllerss land at $144,580 and Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisorss at $63,940. The education gap is real: air traffic controller programs typically require no formal educational credential, while aircraft cargo handling supervisor programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Air Traffic Controllerss is Virginia ($185,890); for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisorss it's Virginia ($89,210).

Air Traffic Controllers
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Median salary
$144,580
$63,940
Hourly rate
$69.51/hr
$30.74/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$76,090
$38,010
Senior level (90th %)
$210,410
$96,300
Education required
No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
22,400
10,160
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Transportation
Transportation
Top-paying state
Virginia
Virginia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Air Traffic Controllers median pay.

State
Air Traffic Controllers
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Virginia
$185,890
$89,210
Georgia
$174,600
$79,400
Utah
$156,120
$78,990
Indiana
$155,790
$82,750
Tennessee
$153,670
$75,300
Nevada
$147,700
$68,840
Florida
$144,710
$68,250
Arizona
$130,960
$74,230
Rhode Island
$123,610
$74,510
Connecticut
$121,910
$71,760
Idaho
$117,150
$77,200
Missouri
$115,440
$77,820
Maryland
$114,620
$75,170
Michigan
$113,650
$71,250
Wisconsin
$106,750
$81,410

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Air Traffic Controllerss or Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisorss?

Air Traffic Controllerss earn more nationally. The median is $144,580 for Air Traffic Controllerss versus $63,940 for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisorss, a difference of $81K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

Which has better job growth, Air Traffic Controllers or Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors?

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, Air Traffic Controllers or Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors?

Air Traffic Controllers typically requires no formal educational credential. Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Air Traffic Controllerss get paid the most?

Virginia is the top-paying state for Air Traffic Controllerss at $185,890/year, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Air Traffic Controllers vs. Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Virginia, Air Traffic Controllerss earn $185,890 vs. $89,210 for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisorss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Air Traffic Controllers salary breakdownView →Full Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors salary breakdownView →Best cities for Air Traffic Controllerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisorss by take-home payExplore →How to become a air traffic controllersGuide →How to become a aircraft cargo handling supervisorsGuide →