Air Traffic Controller

Explore This Path

Ensure safe skies by managing aircraft movements and coordinating flight paths.
Play a crucial role in aviation safety, guiding planes through busy airspace.
Experience the thrill of directing air traffic in dynamic and high-pressure environments.

💰 Earn $112K-$194K

📚 Associate Degree

⏱️ 12–24 MONTH TRAINING

📈 2.9% JOB GROWTH

Find Training

What You’ll Do

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.

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.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Associate Degree

Career Prospects

Good (Increasing by 1-5%)

Training Time

1 to 2 years

Job Openings

2,200 Annually

Median Earnings

$160,490 in California

$137,380 Nationally

$25K

$50K

$75K

$100K

$125K

$150K

$175K

$200K

$225K

$250K

Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Air Traffic Controller? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@leeds_bradford_airport

@atchoneyb

@salarytransparentstreet

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Influencing or leading others
Using data or completing tasks

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Coordination
Critical Thinking
Speaking
Monitoring
Operations Monitoring

You value 🙏

Having support
Having freedom
Job security

Deep Dive

Air Traffic Controller

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years