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Salary comparison

Air Traffic Controllers vs. Anesthesiologists: Who Earns More?

Anesthesiologistss out-earn Air Traffic Controllerss by $192K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Air Traffic Controllerss land at $144,580 and Anesthesiologistss at $336,640. The education gap is real: air traffic controller programs typically require no formal educational credential, while anesthesiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Air Traffic Controllerss is Virginia ($185,890); for Anesthesiologistss it's Minnesota ($465,340).

Air Traffic Controllers
Anesthesiologists
Median salary
$144,580
$336,640
Hourly rate
$69.51/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$76,090
$124,450
Senior level (90th %)
$210,410
$0
Education required
No formal educational credential
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
22,400
41,890
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Transportation
Healthcare
Top-paying state
Virginia
Minnesota

Pay by state

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

State
Air Traffic Controllers
Anesthesiologists
Virginia
$185,890
$326,130
Minnesota
$176,030
$465,340
Illinois
$175,090
$301,580
Kansas
$156,620
$315,890
Indiana
$155,790
$378,850
Tennessee
$153,670
$364,200
New Mexico
$145,290
$318,450
Florida
$144,710
$404,100
North Carolina
$120,580
$397,850
Maryland
$114,620
$349,580
Michigan
$113,650
$337,220
Alabama
$112,740
$323,940
Nebraska
$108,990
$389,480
Iowa
$95,200
$385,010
District of Columbia
$35,940
$295,970

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Air Traffic Controllerss or Anesthesiologistss?

Anesthesiologistss earn more nationally. The median is $144,580 for Air Traffic Controllerss versus $336,640 for Anesthesiologistss, a difference of $192K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

Which has better job growth, Air Traffic Controllers or Anesthesiologists?

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 Anesthesiologists?

Air Traffic Controllers typically requires no formal educational credential. Anesthesiologists requires doctoral or professional degree. 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. Anesthesiologists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Virginia, Air Traffic Controllerss earn $185,890 vs. $326,130 for Anesthesiologistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Air Traffic Controllers salary breakdownView →Full Anesthesiologists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Air Traffic Controllerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Anesthesiologistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a air traffic controllersGuide →How to become a anesthesiologistsGuide →