Air Traffic Controllers vs. Animal Caretakers: Who Earns More?
Air Traffic Controllerss out-earn Animal Caretakerss by $111K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Air Traffic Controllerss land at $144,580 and Animal Caretakerss at $33,470. The education gap is real: air traffic controller programs typically require no formal educational credential, while animal caretaker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Air Traffic Controllerss is Virginia ($185,890); for Animal Caretakerss it's Washington ($38,400).
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 Animal Caretakerss?
Air Traffic Controllerss earn more nationally. The median is $144,580 for Air Traffic Controllerss versus $33,470 for Animal Caretakerss, a difference of $111K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.
Which has better job growth, Air Traffic Controllers or Animal Caretakers?
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 Animal Caretakers?
Air Traffic Controllers typically requires no formal educational credential. Animal Caretakers 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. Animal Caretakers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Minnesota, Air Traffic Controllerss earn $176,030 vs. $33,790 for Animal Caretakerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.