2026 comparison
Air Traffic Controller vs Data Scientist salary in South Africa
Higher paying career: Air Traffic Controller. Approximate monthly difference: R5 000.
Entry, mid, senior pay, demand, difficulty and long-term career upside.
Air Traffic Controller
Medium demand · Air traffic control training and licensing
EntryR28 000
MidR70 000
SeniorR115 000
Top 20%R170 000
Data Scientist
High demand · Degree in Stats, Maths, CS or related
EntryR30 000
MidR70 000
SeniorR110 000
Top 20%R180 000
Salary breakdown
Entry
R28 000
R30 000
Mid
R70 000
R70 000
Senior
R115 000
R110 000
Top 20%
R170 000
R180 000
Demand
Air Traffic Controller6/10
Data Scientist9/10
Difficulty
Air Traffic Controller9/10
Data Scientist8/10
Salary difference
+R5 000
Compare the Air Traffic Controller salary in South Africa with how much Data Scientists earn at senior level.
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Higher paying career: Air Traffic Controller. The senior-level gap is about R5 000 per month, based on R115 000 for Air Traffic Controller compared with R110 000 for Data Scientist.
Career alternatives
Higher earning
Air Traffic Controller
Easier entry
Data Scientist
Better long-term
Data Scientist
Skills / requirements
Airspace control
Air Traffic Controller needs this
Less central
Decision making
Air Traffic Controller needs this
Less central
Communication
Air Traffic Controller needs this
Less central
Stress management
Air Traffic Controller needs this
Less central
Python / Pandas
Less central
Data Scientist needs this
Machine learning
Less central
Data Scientist needs this
Career progression
Air Traffic Controller
ATC TraineeR28 000
Tower ControllerR60 000
Area ControllerR90 000
Senior ControllerR115 000
Data Scientist
Junior Data ScientistR38 000
Data ScientistR70 000
Senior Data ScientistR110 000
Lead / ML EngineerR140 000
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