Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteSome air traffic controllers could earn more than the FAA administrator because they were paid under separate compensation systems, and some controllers’ annual earnings may include overtime and other premiums. But the available official records do not establish that a named controller actually earned more than the administrator in 2024—or by how much.
Why controller and administrator pay can differ
The FAA uses different pay plans for different roles. Air traffic control specialists are covered by the Air Traffic Compensation Plan, while non-political FAA officers, executives and senior professionals are covered by the FAA Executive Compensation Plan. The FAA outlines these systems on its Pay & Benefits page.
Executive compensation is subject to a ceiling: the FAA says executive base salary plus locality pay cannot exceed the applicable legislative cap. The cap limits that part of executive compensation; it does not mean that every executive receives the maximum or establish what the administrator actually received in 2024. The FAA’s Executive Positions page describes the executive bands and cap, but its currently displayed cap should not be treated as the verified 2024 limit.
Because controllers and executives are paid under distinct plans, their compensation does not follow a single shared salary scale. A controller’s total earnings for a year may also differ from a base-pay rate if overtime or other applicable premiums are included. Those are plausible factors in an individual comparison, not proven explanations for a particular 2024 pay gap.
#1 Best Overall
- PTT ADAPTER AND HEADSET BUNDLE: An ergonomically designed DECT push-to-talk amplifier that is ideal for use where secure, mission critical, conversations are needed, such as public safety dispatch, air-traffic control, radio dispatch operations, and training simulation. Direct Equivalent to Plantronics CA22CD-SC PTT Adapter (8K774AA#ABA) This Bundle also includes a TruVoice HD550 Noise Canceling Headset.
- QD HEADSET CONNECTION: Effortlessly pairs with and compatible with all TruVoice or Poly wired headsets, allowing you to customise your audio experience according to your preferences. Embrace flexibility and convenience with the SHG D200, the ultimate companion for all your communication needs.
- PUSH-TO-TALK: Experience ergonomic excellence with the JPL Scout. Taking its design from a pistol grip. With your finger naturally resting on the trigger, a seamless push activates the microphone, allowing you to transmit your voice effortlessly. Releasing the trigger instantly mutes the call, giving you complete control at your fingertips.
- NOISE CANCELING HEADSET: Our TruVoice Headset Range Include a High Quality Noise Canceling microphone with Flexible 270 degree Rotational Microphone Boom, our Speakers include acoustic shock protection and HD Audio Sound - Perfect Solution for call center, office or homeworkers.
- COMPATABILITY: Our PTT Headset and Adapter bundle includes a 2 prong (PJ327) type adapter specificaly for connection with consoles used for public safety dispatch, air-traffic control, radio dispatch operations, and training simulation. Direct Equivalent to Plantronics CA22CD-SC PTT Adapter (8K774AA#ABA)
What changed in FAA pay in 2024
In a January 12, 2024 employee bulletin, Administrator Mike Whitaker announced that the FAA’s listed 2024 pay bands and tables, including air traffic and executive plans, would increase by 4.7%. The agency also cited a 0.5% average government-wide locality adjustment for eligible employees; eligible base-pay increases took effect January 14, 2024. The FAA’s 2024 pay-increases announcement states: “As the new year begins, I am pleased to share that the FAA pay bands and pay tables for 2024, will increase by 4.7% as follows:”
The 4.7% adjustment was not unique to controllers: it applied across the listed FAA pay tables, including executive tables. By itself, it does not explain why one employee might have had greater annual earnings than another.
Rank #2
- PTT ADAPTER AND HEADSET BUNDLE : An ergonomically designed push-to-talk amplifier that is ideal for use where secure, mission critical, conversations are needed, such as public safety dispatch, air-traffic control, radio dispatch operations, and training simulation. Direct Equivalent to Plantronics SHS1890. This Bundle also includes a TruVoice HD500 Noise Canceling Headset.
- QD HEADSET CONNECTION : Effortlessly pairs with and compatible with all TruVoice or Poly wired headsets, allowing you to customise your audio experience according to your preferences. Embrace flexibility and convenience with the Dispatch-15 the ultimate companion for all your communication needs.
- PUSH-TO-TALK Experience ergonomic excellence with the Dispatch-15. Taking its design from a pistol grip. With your finger naturally resting on the trigger, a seamless push activates the microphone, allowing you to transmit your voice effortlessly. Releasing the trigger instantly mutes the call, giving you complete control at your fingertips.
- NOISE CANCELING HEADSET : Our TruVoice Headset Range Include a High Quality Noise Canceling microphone with Flexible 270 degree Rotational Microphone Boom, our Speakers include acoustic shock protection and HD Audio Sound - Perfect Solution for call center, office or homeworkers.
- COMPATABILITY : Our PTT Headset and Adapter bundle includes a 2 prong (PJ7 or PJ327) type adapter specificaly for connection with consoles used for public safety dispatch radio consoles like Motorola, Aastro, Intertalk, mindshare and Intrado, air-traffic control and training simulation. Direct Equivalent to Plantronics SHS1890 PTT Adapter.
What the public figures do—and do not—show
The FAA’s Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan 2025–2028 reports 14,264 controllers at the end of fiscal 2024 and 1,811 hires during that fiscal year. These figures describe the workforce, not individual pay. They cannot establish what any controller earned.
The FAA reading room lists an “Overtime Hours & Costs” record, but the accessible page does not expose the underlying data. Its existence is not proof of the overtime earned by a particular controller, nor does it quantify how overtime affected any comparison with the administrator.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- PTT ADAPTER AND HEADSET BUNDLE: An ergonomically designed push-to-talk amplifier for use where secure, mission critical, conversations are needed, such as public safety dispatch, air-traffic control, radio dispatch operations, and training simulation. Direct Equivalent to Plantronics SHS1890. This Bundle also includes a TruVoice HD550 Noise Canceling Headset
- QD HEADSET CONNECTION: Effortlessly pairs with and compatible with all TruVoice or Poly wired headsets, allowing you to customise your audio experience according to your preferences. Embrace flexibility and convenience with the Dispatch-15 companion for all your communication needs
- PUSH-TO-TALK TRIGGER DESIGN: Experience ergonomic excellence with the Dispatch-15. Taking its design from a pistol grip. With your finger naturally resting on the trigger, a seamless push activates the microphone, allowing you to transmit your voice effortlessly. Releasing the trigger instantly mutes the call, giving you complete control at your fingertips
- NOISE CANCELING HEADSET: Our TruVoice Headset Range Include a High Quality Noise Canceling microphone with Flexible 270 degree Rotational Microphone Boom, our Speakers include acoustic shock protection and HD Audio Sound for call center, office or homeworkers
- COMPATIBILITY WITH DISPATCH CONSOLES: Our PTT Headset and Adapter bundle includes a 2 prong (PJ7 or PJ327) type adapter specifically for connection with consoles used for public safety dispatch radio consoles like Motorola, Aastro, Intertalk, mindshare and Intrado, air-traffic control and training simulation. The double prong connector is the Direct Equivalent to Plantronics SHS1890 PTT Adapter
There is also an OPM 2024 special-rate table for certain GS-2152 air traffic controller positions. It is not a substitute for FAA controller pay data: the FAA says its controller roles are covered by the separate Air Traffic Compensation Plan. The systems should not be conflated.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What a fair 2024 comparison would require
To determine whether a controller actually out-earned the administrator, a comparison would need primary records for both people on the same basis. In particular, it should align:
Rank #4
- COMFORTABLE AND DURABLE DESIGN – The RA200s lightweight design weighing only 16 oz paired with soft foam ear seals provides unparalleled comfort over extended flights.
- UNMATCHED AUDIO CLARITY - Premier noise reduction rating (NRR) of 24db and electret noise-canceling microphone provides crystal clear audio ensuring minimal background noise.
- AUDIO ADJUSTABILITY - Individual volume control on each ear with ultra-lite neodymium speakers and a 3.5mm input jack for phone connection (AUDIO ONLY).
- HIGH QUALITY MICROPHONE - Equipped with an advanced noise canceling electret microphone, you can ensure your communication remains clear and uninterrupted.
- PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT - A custom padded headset bag is included to protect your headset outside of flying times. This bag is FREE when purchasing the headset.
- Time period: calendar year or fiscal year, rather than comparing different periods.
- Pay measure: base salary or annualized pay rate versus cash compensation actually earned.
- Locality: whether locality pay is included for each person.
- Additional pay: overtime and any other premiums included in a controller’s total.
- Executive figure: the administrator’s realized compensation, not simply a pay-plan ceiling.
The cited public materials do not provide all of those comparable amounts. They support the explanation that different pay plans and an executive compensation cap can make a difference possible, but they do not verify that a particular controller’s 2024 earnings exceeded the administrator’s realized compensation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- DISPTACH-15 ADAPTER: Replacement to the SHS1890, the DISPATCH-15 allows the use of any Plantronics or TruVoice QD Headset to connect to any Dispatch 2-way Radio Consoles.
- QD HEADSET CONNECTION: Effortlessly pairs with and compatible with all TruVoice, Poly, Plantronics or JPL wired headsets that have a QD, allowing you to customise your audio experience according to your preferences.
- PUSH-TO-TALK: Experience ergonomic excellence with the Dispatch-15 Adapter. Taking its design from a pistol grip. With your finger naturally resting on the trigger, a seamless push activates the microphone, allowing you to transmit your voice effortlessly. Releasing the trigger instantly mutes the call, giving you complete control at your fingertips.
- COMPATABILITY: Our PTT Adapter includes a 2 prong (PJ327) type adapter specificaly for connection with consoles used for public safety dispatch, air-traffic control, radio dispatch operations, and training simulation. Direct Equivalent to Plantronics SHS1890 Adapter.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
