Air Traffic Controllers vs. Aircraft Service Attendants: Who Earns More?
Air Traffic Controllerss out-earn Aircraft Service Attendantss by $103K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Air Traffic Controllerss land at $144,580 and Aircraft Service Attendantss at $41,540. The education gap is real: air traffic controller programs typically require no formal educational credential, while aircraft service attendant programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Air Traffic Controllerss is Virginia ($185,890); for Aircraft Service Attendantss it's Tennessee ($55,690).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Air Traffic Controllers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Air Traffic Controllerss or Aircraft Service Attendantss?
Air Traffic Controllerss earn more nationally. The median is $144,580 for Air Traffic Controllerss versus $41,540 for Aircraft Service Attendantss, a difference of $103K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.
Which has better job growth, Air Traffic Controllers or Aircraft Service Attendants?
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 Service Attendants?
Air Traffic Controllers typically requires no formal educational credential. Aircraft Service Attendants 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 Service Attendants pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Georgia, Air Traffic Controllerss earn $174,600 vs. $41,600 for Aircraft Service Attendantss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.