Air Traffic Controllers

Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed

Control 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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $148,080/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$78,420$215,610

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +1.2% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.

About 2,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills

Active ListeningSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingCoordinationReading ComprehensionActive LearningTime Management

Top knowledge areas

TransportationEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServiceGeographyTelecommunicationsMathematics

Core tasks

• Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.

• Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.

• Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.

• Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.

• Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.

• Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.

• Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.

• Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Air Traffic Controllers?

The median pay for Air Traffic Controllers is $148,080 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Air Traffic Controllers?

Employment for Air Traffic Controllers is projected to change +1.2% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Air Traffic Controllers?

Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Air Traffic Controllers?

About 2,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.