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Salary comparison

Air Traffic Controllers vs. Amusement and Recreation Attendants: Who Earns More?

Air Traffic Controllerss out-earn Amusement and Recreation Attendantss by $114K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Air Traffic Controllerss land at $144,580 and Amusement and Recreation Attendantss at $30,490. The education gap is real: air traffic controller programs typically require no formal educational credential, while amusement and recreation attendant programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Air Traffic Controllerss is Virginia ($185,890); for Amusement and Recreation Attendantss it's Alaska ($40,970).

Air Traffic Controllers
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
Median salary
$144,580
$30,490
Hourly rate
$69.51/hr
$14.66/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$76,090
$21,940
Senior level (90th %)
$210,410
$39,940
Education required
No formal educational credential
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
22,400
371,590
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Transportation
Personal Care
Top-paying state
Virginia
Alaska

Pay by state

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

State
Air Traffic Controllers
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
Minnesota
$176,030
$31,080
Illinois
$175,090
$30,980
Washington
$164,070
$36,700
California
$152,010
$35,570
New York
$142,190
$35,540
Hawaii
$142,040
$37,350
New Jersey
$135,470
$31,710
Arizona
$130,960
$31,070
Rhode Island
$123,610
$29,270
Connecticut
$121,910
$32,640
Alaska
$120,370
$40,970
Maryland
$114,620
$34,640
Oregon
$113,030
$33,810
Massachusetts
$103,230
$33,860
District of Columbia
$35,940
$36,140

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Air Traffic Controllerss or Amusement and Recreation Attendantss?

Air Traffic Controllerss earn more nationally. The median is $144,580 for Air Traffic Controllerss versus $30,490 for Amusement and Recreation Attendantss, a difference of $114K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

Which has better job growth, Air Traffic Controllers or Amusement and Recreation 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 Amusement and Recreation Attendants?

Air Traffic Controllers typically requires no formal educational credential. Amusement and Recreation Attendants 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. Amusement and Recreation Attendants pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Minnesota, Air Traffic Controllerss earn $176,030 vs. $31,080 for Amusement and Recreation Attendantss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Air Traffic Controllers salary breakdownView →Full Amusement and Recreation Attendants salary breakdownView →Best cities for Air Traffic Controllerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Amusement and Recreation Attendantss by take-home payExplore →How to become a air traffic controllersGuide →How to become a amusement and recreation attendantsGuide →