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.
Air Traffic Controllers
SOC: 53-2021 O*NET: 53-2021.00
Median Salary
$144,580
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Air Traffic Controllers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$76,090
10th percentile
Early Career
$101,150
25th percentile
Median
$144,580
50th percentile
Experienced
$186,510
75th percentile
Top Earners
$210,410
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$76,090
25th
$101,150
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$144,580
Mean: $142,740
75th
$186,510
90th
$210,410
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $134,320 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $101,150 and $186,510
- •Salary spread is 59.0% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 22,400 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:24,100
Top Industries
Support Activities for Transportation6.6%
Support Activities for Air Transportation6.3%
Air Transportation1.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.2%
Annual Openings:2,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)24,100
Current
2034 (Projected)24,400
+1.2%
+300
Employment Change
+1.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Air Traffic Controllers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 45 locations
California
2,260 jobs$152,0100.86x
Texas
2,020 jobs$167,7101.00x
Florida
1,980 jobs$144,7101.39x
New York
1,190 jobs$142,1900.86x
Virginia
1,130 jobs$185,8901.92x
Illinois
1,000 jobs$175,0901.14x
Georgia
970 jobs$174,6001.38x
Colorado
780 jobs$172,3101.85x
District of Columbia
700 jobs$35,9406.79x
Minnesota
630 jobs$176,0301.49x
Indiana
620 jobs$155,7901.35x
Tennessee
610 jobs$153,6701.28x
Washington
600 jobs$164,0701.16x
Alaska
500 jobs$120,37010.77x
North Carolina
440 jobs$120,5800.62x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Judgment and Decision Making
80%
#5
Complex Problem Solving
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Coordination
60%
#8
Active Learning
54%
#9
Reading Comprehension
46%
#10
Time Management
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.0
80%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Coordination
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Learning
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Upholsterers90%
5 shared skills
Sustainability Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film82%
5 shared skills
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists82%
5 shared skills
Range Managers82%
5 shared skills
Construction Managers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Coordination
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
- ★Complex Problem Solving
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Air Traffic Controllers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Training & Development (1)Management & Supervision (4)General Responsibilities (9)Planning & Development (3)Communication & Coordination (2)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development100% perform100%
2
Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision97% perform98%
3
Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision88% perform92%
6
Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision82% perform88%
8
Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance or baggage vehicles, or airport workers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on training & development activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Air Traffic Controllers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Air Traffic Controllers professionals typically have a CRE Holland code and highly value support
CConventional
RRealistic
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Air Traffic Controllers
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.65
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.64
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.45
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.39
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.34
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.29
Complete Work Styles Profile
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.6
Dependability
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Persistence
4.3
Analytical Thinking
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Cooperation
4.1
Initiative
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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