Overview
SourcedControl air traffic on and within vicinity of airport, and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers, according to established procedures and policies. Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.
O*NET definition of Air Traffic Controllers (SOC 53-2021) · Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed.
Titles employers use
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Requirements
Sourced- Education needed to enter
- Associate's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
Education workers say the job requires
Share of surveyed workers in Air Traffic Controllers (SOC 53-2021) naming each level as required to be hired, 50 respondents, O*NET survey July 2014. Each employer sets its own minimum.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to get hired
SourcedThere 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.
From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Air Traffic Controllers”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Academy and training
Sourced- SOC 53-2021
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job zone
- Medium Preparation Needed
Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Promotion ladder
EditorialFederal grade and step: federal grade × step (GS/FWS/agency bands: FAA ATC, TSA SV, VA nurse, LEO special rates). Typical structure for a faa air traffic control; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- FAA Academy trainee
- Developmental controller (facility training)
- Certified Professional Controller (CPC)
- Front-line manager
- Operations manager / Air traffic manager
Assignments and specialty tracks
Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).
Pay
SourcedMedian annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | 20,530 | $85,260 | $111,510 | $156,250 | $194,500 | $217,590 |
| Local | 190 | $51,060 | $59,770 | $83,880 | $96,930 | $120,900 |
| All government | 20,740 | $84,360 | $110,840 | $155,040 | $193,810 | $217,590 |
| Private sector | 1,770 | $51,220 | $74,410 | $85,340 | $98,860 | $174,860 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Schedule
SourcedShare of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, July 2014). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Day-to-day work
Sourced- Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.5.0
- Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.4.9
- Monitor, direct, or sequence the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.4.9
- Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.4.9
- Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement.4.8
- Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.4.8
- Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.4.7
- Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.4.7
- Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information.4.7
- Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes.4.7
The 10 most important of 21 core tasks for Air Traffic Controllers, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2026.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Related jobs
DerivedExams and free practice tests
Sourced| Exam | Administered by | Used in | Type | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) 3.5-hour computer-based test of cognitive skills taken in person at a Pearson VUE center; predicts aptitude; a Well-Qualified result is required. | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) | Federal Aviation Administration | written | Official page |
Each exam is checked against its administrator's official page. Employers choose which exam they use; confirm with the hiring agency.
Source: Exam administrators and hiring authorities (per record), Official exam administrator pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests
FAA Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA)Practice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
By state
SourcedMedian annual wage for Air Traffic Controllers (SOC 53-2021) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.
| State | Workers | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 1,120 | $94,330 | $191,820 | $225,680 |
| Illinois | 990 | $83,990 | $181,560 | $225,680 |
| Georgia | 970 | $90,940 | $178,420 | $217,590 |
| Colorado | 740 | $76,310 | $177,380 | $213,950 |
| Minnesota | 680 | $88,940 | $176,840 | $218,190 |
| Texas | 2,060 | $90,420 | $170,080 | $222,230 |
| Washington | 620 | $91,600 | $162,570 | $209,270 |
| California | 2,290 | $80,960 | $160,080 | $225,680 |
| Kansas | 430 | $82,060 | $159,700 | $199,160 |
| Indiana | 630 | $81,000 | $158,810 | $200,640 |
| Hawaii | 210 | $92,580 | $158,700 | $205,000 |
| Utah | 360 | $75,360 | $158,310 | $186,180 |
| Tennessee | 590 | $98,300 | $157,330 | $198,790 |
| New Mexico | 350 | $77,400 | $148,550 | $187,790 |
| Florida | 1,950 | $86,660 | $147,530 | $195,960 |
| New York | 1,150 | $74,320 | $144,960 | $225,680 |
| Connecticut | Not published | $95,180 | $140,940 | $175,090 |
| Nevada | 210 | $80,600 | $140,920 | $200,160 |
| Arizona | 380 | $86,630 | $136,800 | $195,980 |
| Pennsylvania | 460 | $81,490 | $132,350 | $225,680 |
| New Jersey | 190 | $88,460 | $132,230 | $209,730 |
| Maryland | 70 | $96,600 | $131,290 | $169,920 |
| North Carolina | 410 | $88,690 | $129,230 | $191,530 |
| Kentucky | 230 | $66,150 | $127,800 | $168,650 |
| Rhode Island | 50 | $61,710 | $126,300 | $150,180 |
| Massachusetts | 120 | $82,150 | $125,060 | $202,070 |
| Alaska | 490 | $66,800 | $123,950 | $191,690 |
| Oklahoma | 270 | $78,340 | $123,220 | $169,980 |
| Missouri | 260 | $90,940 | $122,200 | $166,610 |
| Michigan | 360 | $80,430 | $118,930 | $205,380 |
| Alabama | 240 | $79,420 | $114,960 | $159,640 |
| South Carolina | 190 | $71,680 | $112,030 | $142,830 |
| Nebraska | 70 | $83,030 | $111,710 | $147,990 |
| Arkansas | 80 | $76,360 | $109,760 | $134,430 |
| Vermont | 30 | $90,500 | $109,140 | $139,810 |
| North Dakota | 100 | $58,470 | $107,990 | $147,410 |
| Maine | 70 | $46,550 | $107,270 | $135,910 |
| Montana | 60 | $75,130 | $101,380 | $127,980 |
| Louisiana | 230 | $75,130 | $99,810 | $149,700 |
| Wyoming | 40 | $75,130 | $93,580 | $132,000 |
| Iowa | 120 | $54,930 | $90,790 | $121,720 |
| Mississippi | 160 | $64,380 | $88,110 | $127,170 |
| District of Columbia | 820 | $47,760 | $47,760 | $196,310 |
43 states with published estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Not yet collected
These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.
- 05 ProbationNot yet collectedProbation length and what ends it
- 09 Benefits and pensionNot yet collectedPension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
- 10 Union contractsNot yet collectedBargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
- 11 Transfers and lateral entryNot yet collectedLateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
- 15 Employer directoryNot yet collectedEvery public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules