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Salary comparison

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

Air Traffic Controllerss out-earn Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss by $83K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Air Traffic Controllerss land at $144,580 and Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss at $61,680. 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 Controllerss is Virginia ($185,890); for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss it's Washington ($93,550).

Air Traffic Controllers
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Median salary
$144,580
$61,680
Hourly rate
$69.51/hr
$29.65/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$76,090
$46,040
Senior level (90th %)
$210,410
$94,950
Education required
No formal educational credential
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
22,400
32,890
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
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
$174,600
$65,580
Texas
$167,710
$81,130
Washington
$164,070
$93,550
Kansas
$156,620
$57,970
Utah
$156,120
$59,810
Tennessee
$153,670
$59,070
California
$152,010
$56,160
Florida
$144,710
$62,770
Arizona
$130,960
$66,930
Pennsylvania
$129,310
$78,570
Connecticut
$121,910
$82,280
Missouri
$115,440
$64,360
Michigan
$113,650
$55,070
Oregon
$113,030
$55,150
Alabama
$112,740
$62,010

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Air Traffic Controllerss or Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss?

Air Traffic Controllerss earn more nationally. The median is $144,580 for Air Traffic Controllerss versus $61,680 for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss, a difference of $83K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

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

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 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 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 Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Georgia, Air Traffic Controllerss earn $174,600 vs. $65,580 for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss. 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 Controllerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a air traffic controllersGuide →How to become a aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblersGuide →