Median pay
$144,580
Median annual pay for Air Traffic Controllers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Transportation and Logistics
Air Traffic Controllers
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.
10-year growth
1.2%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings
2,200
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment
24,100
Estimated U.S. employment for Air Traffic Controllers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost
+300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation
Associate's degree
Typical additional preparation: Long-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile
What the work involves
Strongest O*NET signals first.
Essential skills
- 1Active Listening
- 2Speaking
- 3Critical Thinking
- 4Monitoring
- 5Active Learning
- 6Reading Comprehension
Knowledge areas
- 1Transportation
- 2English Language
- 3Public Safety and Security
- 4Education and Training
- 5Customer and Personal Service
- 6Geography
Abilities
- 1Problem Sensitivity
- 2Oral Comprehension
- 3Oral Expression
- 4Selective Attention
- 5Deductive Reasoning
- 6Flexibility of Closure
Career interests
- 1Conventional
- 2Realistic
- 3Enterprising
- 4Social
- 5Investigative
- 6Artistic
Work styles
- 1Attention to Detail
- 2Cautiousness
- 3Self-Control
- 4Stress Tolerance
- 5Dependability
- 6Integrity
Work activities
- 1Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- 2Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- 3Getting Information
- 4Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- 5Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- 6Processing Information
Work context
- 1Frequency of Decision Making
- 2Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- 3Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- 4Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
- 5Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- 6Contact With Others
Representative 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.
Software and tools
Microsoft PowerPoint · in demandMicrosoft Outlook · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandAdobe Acrobat · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologySAP software · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyFlight simulation softwareExpedite departure path EDP softwareEn route descent advisor EDADirect-to-tool software
Sources
BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.