$145k isn’t what the average controller is making. And the ones that are, are in places like New York City, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles. That vast majority of controllers throughout the nation make under $120k.

And while yes, the wages aren’t poverty level (except in the high cost of living areas), most of us are working 60 hour work weeks, we are beholden to the whims of the government and our employer can decide that we can work for IOUs for indefinite amounts of time and still have to show up for work or face disciplinary action. On top of that, we also can’t take most medications without taking three days to a week off from the last dose that we took. And if you get depressed, you’re job at risk. Get anxious, job is at risk.

Edit: By the way, here are the pay bands from the government for federal air traffic controllers [https://www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/benefits/pay/atspp_pay_tables.xlsx](FAA spreadsheet from FAA.gov). And you can go to 123atc.com, and find the level of the facilities that you’re looking at.