### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Air Traffic Controllers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			air traffic controllers imageAir traffic controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic.							
						Quick Facts:     Air Traffic Controllers2023     Median Pay
            						$137,380     per year
										$66.05     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Associate's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Long-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    23,000Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    1% (Little or no change)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    300What Air Traffic Controllers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of aircraft to maintain safe distances between them.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Air traffic controllers work in control towers, approach control facilities, or en route centers. Their work can be stressful because maximum concentration is required at all times. Night, weekend, and rotating shifts are common.
            
                                                How to Become an Air Traffic Controller
                                                
                        
There are several paths to becoming an air traffic controller. Candidates typically need an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree from the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program, several years of progressively responsible work experience, or a combination of education and experience. They also must be a U.S. citizen, submit to medical and background checks, and complete training at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) academy.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for air traffic controllers was $137,380 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of air traffic controllers is projected to show little or no change							 from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite  limited  employment growth, about 2,000 openings for air traffic controllers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for air traffic controllers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of air traffic controllers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about air traffic controllers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Air Traffic Controllers Do 
            

			Air traffic controllersAir traffic controllers authorize flight path changes.			
Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of aircraft, including within the vicinity of airports and between altitude sectors and control centers, so that they maintain safe distances.
Duties
Air traffic controllers typically do the following:
Monitor and direct the movement of aircraft on the ground and in the air
Control all ground traffic at airport runways and taxiways
Issue takeoff and landing instructions to pilots
Transfer control of departing flights to other traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights
Inform pilots about weather, runway closures, and other critical information
Alert airport response staff in the event of an aircraft emergencyAir traffic controllers’ primary concern is safety, but they also must direct aircraft efficiently to minimize delays. They manage the flow of aircraft into and out of the airport airspace, guide pilots during takeoff and landing, and monitor aircraft as they travel through the skies. Air traffic controllers use radio equipment to communicate with pilots. They also use radar, computers, and other visual references to monitor and direct aircraft movement in the skies and on airport grounds.
Controllers usually manage multiple aircraft at the same time. For example, a controller might direct one aircraft on its landing approach while providing another aircraft with weather information.
The following are examples of types of air traffic controllers:
***Tower controllers*** direct the movement of aircraft and other vehicles, such as snowplows, on runways and taxiways. They check flight plans, give pilots clearance for takeoff or landing, and direct the flow of aircraft and ground traffic in their area of responsibility. Most observe from control towers, managing traffic from the airport to a radius of 3 to 30 miles out.
***Approach and departure controllers*** ensure that aircraft traveling within an airport’s airspace maintain minimum separation for safety. These controllers give pilots clearances to enter controlled airspace and hand off control of aircraft to en route controllers. They also inform pilots about weather conditions and other critical notices. Terminal approach and departure controllers work in buildings known as Terminal Radar Approach Control Centers (TRACONs). They assist an aircraft until it reaches the edge of a facility’s airspace, usually about 20 to 50 miles from the airport and up to about 17,000 feet in the air.
***En route controllers*** monitor aircraft that leave an airport’s airspace. They work at en route traffic control centers located throughout the country, which typically are not located at airports. Each center is assigned an airspace based on the geography and air traffic in the area in which it is located. As an aircraft approaches and flies through a center’s airspace, en route controllers guide it along its route. They may adjust the flight path for safety reasons, such as to avoid collision with another aircraft. En route controllers direct aircraft for the bulk of the flight before handing off oversight to terminal approach controllers.
Some air traffic controllers work at the Air Traffic Control Systems Command Center, where they monitor traffic within the entire national airspace. When they identify a bottleneck, they provide instructions to other controllers to help prevent traffic jams. Their objective is to keep traffic levels manageable for the airports and for en route controllers.
 Work Environment
			Air traffic controllersAir traffic controllers often work in semidark rooms.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Air traffic controllers held about 23,000 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of air traffic controllers were as follows:
        Federal government
                91%Support activities for air transportation
                5Most controllers work for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Most air traffic controllers work in control towers, approach control facilities, or en route centers. Many tower controllers and approach and departure controllers work near large airports. En route controllers work in secure office buildings across the country, which typically are not located at airports.
Most controllers work in semidark rooms. The aircraft they control appear as points of light moving across their radar screens, and a well-lit room would make it difficult to see the screens properly.
Air traffic controllers must remain focused and react quickly to conditions that change frequently. Being responsible for the safety of aircraft and their passengers may be stressful and exhausting. To prevent burnout, the FAA requires controllers to retire at age 56.
Work Schedules
Most air traffic controllers work full time. The FAA regulates the hours that an air traffic controller may work. Controllers may not work more than 10 straight hours during a shift, which includes required breaks, and must have 9 hours of rest before their next shift.
Major airports may operate control towers on a 24-hour basis. Controllers who work at these facilities may work day, evening, or night shifts that include weekends and holidays. Small airports or those that are less busy may have towers that do not operate around the clock. Controllers at these facilities may have standard work schedules.
 How to Become an Air Traffic Controller

			Air traffic controllersAs they gain experience, air traffic controllers move to positions in the control room that have more responsibility.			
There are several different paths to becoming an air traffic controller. Candidates typically need an associate's or bachelor’s degree through a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program, several years of progressively responsible work experience, or a combination of education and experience.
In addition, prospective air traffic controllers must be U.S. citizens and must pass a medical evaluation, background check, and FAA preemployment tests, including the Air Traffic Controller Specialists Skills Assessment Battery (ATSA). They also must complete a training course at the FAA Academy and apply before the FAA's age cutoff.
Once hired, controllers typically complete on-the-job training that lasts more than 12 months. They also must pass a physical exam each year, a job performance exam twice a year, and periodic drug screenings.
Education
Air traffic controllers typically need an associate's or a bachelor's degree. To qualify with an associate's degree, candidates must complete their studies in an AT-CTI program. A bachelor's degree may be in any field, including transportation, business, or engineering.
The FAA sets guidelines for schools that offer the AT-CTI program. AT-CTI schools offer 2- or 4-year degrees that are designed to prepare students for a career in air traffic control. The curriculum is not standardized, but courses focus on subjects that are fundamental to aviation, including airspace, clearances, chart reading, and federal regulations.
Training
Most newly hired air traffic controllers are trained at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. The length of training varies with the candidate’s background. Candidates must apply before the FAA's age cutoff.
After graduating from the Academy, trainees are assigned to an air traffic control facility as *developmental**controllers* until they complete requirements for becoming a certified air traffic controller. Developmental controllers begin their careers by supplying pilots with basic flight data and airport information. They then may advance to positions within the control room that have more responsibility.
With additional training, controllers may switch from one area of specialization to another. For example, a controller may complete training to transfer from working in an en route center to an airport tower.
Other Experience
Air traffic controllers sometimes qualify through work experience instead of a degree. Candidates either need up to 3 years of progressively responsible generalized work experience that demonstrates the potential for learning and performing air traffic control work or must have specialized work experience in a military or civilian air traffic control facility.
Air traffic controllers who learn their skills in the military are eligible to become civilian air traffic controllers even if their age exceeds the FAA cutoff for applicants.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
All air traffic controllers must hold an Air Traffic Control Tower Operator Certificate or be appropriately qualified and supervised as stated in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 65.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Air traffic controllers must be able to give clear, concise instructions, listen carefully to pilots’ requests, and respond by speaking clearly in English.
***Decision-making**skills.*** Controllers must make quick decisions. For example, when a pilot requests a change of altitude to avoid poor weather, the controller must respond quickly to ensure the aircraft’s safety.
***Detail oriented.*** Controllers must be able to concentrate while multiple conversations occur at once. For example, in a large airport tower, several controllers may be speaking with different pilots at the same time.
***Math skills.*** Controllers must be able to do arithmetic accurately and quickly. They often need to compute speeds, times, and distances, and they recommend heading and altitude changes.
***Organizational skills.*** Controllers must be able to coordinate the actions of multiple flights and to prioritize tasks, because they may be required to guide several pilots at the same time.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Controllers must be able to understand complex situations, review changing circumstances, and provide pilots with appropriate alternatives.
***Teamwork.*** Controllers must be able to work as members of a team, cooperating with and assisting others in and around their area of responsibility.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Air Traffic ControllersMedian annual wages, May 2023Air traffic controllers$137,380  Air transportation workers$97,320  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for air traffic controllers was $137,380 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $76,190, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $200,990.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for air traffic controllers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Federal government
                $146,540Support activities for air transportation
                81,110The salaries for development controllers increase as they complete successive levels of training. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the salaries for more advanced controllers who have completed on-the-job training varies with the location of the facility, the complexity of the flight paths, and other factors. A full explanation of the pay ranges for air traffic controllers can be found on the FAA Pay & Benefits page.
Most air traffic controllers work full time. The FAA regulates the hours that an air traffic controller may work. Controllers may not work more than 10 straight hours during a shift, which includes required breaks, and must have 9 hours of rest before their next shift.
Major airports may operate control towers on a 24-hour basis. Controllers who work at these facilities may work day, evening, or night shifts that include weekends and holiday. Small airports or those that are less busy may have towers that do not operate around the clock. Controllers at these facilities may have standard work schedules.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Air Traffic ControllersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Air transportation workers7%  Total, all occupations3%  Air traffic controllers1%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of air traffic controllers is projected to show little or no change				 from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite  limited  employment growth, about 2,000 openings for air traffic controllers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Although air traffic is projected to increase in the coming years, the satellite-based Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is expected to allow individual controllers to handle more air traffic. As a result, the demand for additional air traffic controllers should be somewhat limited over the projections decade.
			

                        Employment projections data for     air traffic controllers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Air traffic controllers**
			53-2021
			23,000
			23,300
			1
			300
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Air traffic controllers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of air traffic controllers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Airline and Commercial Pilots**
            Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft.
            See How to Become One
            $171,210**Public Safety Telecommunicators**
            Public safety telecommunicators, including *911 operators*and*fire dispatchers*, answer emergency and nonemergency calls and provide resources to assist those in need.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $48,890
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about air traffic controllers, visit
Air Traffic Control Association
Federal Aviation Administration
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Professional Women Controllers Inc.
For air traffic control occupational requirements from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), visit
OPM Classification & Qualifications
For application information about air traffic control specialists, visit
FAA Aviation Careers
USAJobs


                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Air Traffic Controllers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Air Traffic Controllers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/air-traffic-controllers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics**
Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections 
PSB Suite 2135 
2 Massachusetts Avenue NE  
Washington, DC 20212-0001 Telephone:1-202-691-5700 

www.bls.gov/ooh
Contact OOH