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Salary comparison

Air Traffic Controllers vs. Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers: Who Earns More?

Air Traffic Controllers out-earn Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers by $83K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Air Traffic Controllers land at $148,080 and Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers at $65,380. The education gap is real: air traffic controller programs typically require no formal educational credential, while aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Air Traffic Controllers is Virginia ($191,820); for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers it's Washington ($110,470).

Air Traffic Controllers
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Median salary
$148,080
$65,380
Hourly rate
$71.19/hr
$31.43/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$78,420
$47,310
Senior level (90th %)
$215,610
$107,500
Education required
No formal educational credential
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
22,510
34,020
Job growth (10-year)
1.2%
-14.5%
Category
Transportation
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Virginia
Washington

Pay by state

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

State
Air Traffic Controllers
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Georgia
$178,420
$72,550
Colorado
$177,380
$70,870
Texas
$170,080
$76,640
Washington
$162,570
$110,470
California
$160,080
$63,640
Kansas
$159,700
$59,850
Tennessee
$157,330
$66,390
Florida
$147,530
$64,580
Connecticut
$140,940
$78,630
Arizona
$136,800
$73,930
Pennsylvania
$132,350
$81,680
North Carolina
$129,230
$51,930
Missouri
$122,200
$58,600
Alabama
$114,960
$58,990
Nebraska
$111,710
$64,530

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Air Traffic Controllers or Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers?

Air Traffic Controllers earn more nationally. The median is $148,080 for Air Traffic Controllers versus $65,380 for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers, a difference of $83K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Air Traffic Controllers or Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers?

Air Traffic Controllers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.2% projected growth, compared to -14.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Air Traffic Controllers or Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers?

Air Traffic Controllers typically requires no formal educational credential. Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Air Traffic Controllers get paid the most?

Virginia is the top-paying state for Air Traffic Controllers at $191,820/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Air Traffic Controllers vs. Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Georgia, Air Traffic Controllers earn $178,420 vs. $72,550 for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Air Traffic Controllers salary breakdownView →Full Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Air Traffic Controllers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers by take-home payExplore →How to become a air traffic controllersGuide →How to become a aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblersGuide →