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Air Traffic Controller
Also called: ATC Specialist · Tower Controller · Approach Controller · En Route Controller
What air traffic controllers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an air traffic controller do?
Air traffic controllers coordinate aircraft movements on the ground and in the air, giving pilots clearances and instructions to keep aircraft safely separated and traffic flowing. The median pay is $148,080 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about FAA Academy plus 2–4 years on the job, and employment is projected to grow +1.7% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$148,080$71.19/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+1.7%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year2,100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationAssociate's degreeBLS classification
- Time to trainFAA Academy plus 2–4 years on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs24,000Employment, 2025
What air traffic controllers do
Air traffic controllers manage the flow of aircraft. Tower controllers handle takeoffs, landings and ground movement; approach controllers manage arrivals and departures around busy airports; en route controllers handle aircraft between airports. They use radar, radios and flight data to issue clearances, maintain separation and respond to emergencies.
Most controllers work for the FAA. Applicants generally must apply before age 31, pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment, medical and security checks, complete the FAA Academy and then train for years at their facility. It is a high-pressure, highly paid career with mandatory retirement at 56.
Typical duties
- Issue takeoff, landing and taxi clearances
- Maintain separation between aircraft
- Monitor radar and flight data
- Communicate with pilots by radio
- Coordinate with other controllers and facilities
- Give weather and traffic information
- Handle emergencies and unusual situations
Work environment and schedule
Controllers work in towers, approach control facilities and en route centers, often in dimly lit rooms with radar displays. The work demands intense concentration.
Schedule: Facilities operate around the clock, so controllers work rotating shifts, nights, weekends and holidays, with required breaks.
A day in the life
- Get a position relief briefing on traffic, weather and runway status.
- Work the local control position, clearing departures for takeoff.
- Sequence arrivals with approach control as the morning rush builds.
- Take a required break off position.
See a full day in the life of an air traffic controller →
Air Traffic Controller salary
Half of air traffic controllers earned more than $148,080 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $78,420 for the lowest 10% to $215,610 for the top 10%.
Full air traffic controller pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an air traffic controller
- Check eligibility
- Apply to the FAA
- Pass medical and security clearances
- Complete the FAA Academy
- Certify at your facility
Most controllers enter through the FAA, completing the Air Traffic Skills Assessment and FAA Academy training. Some complete collegiate training programs first. Veterans with military controller experience may qualify for other paths.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an air traffic controller →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Aircraft separation standards
- Radio phraseology
- Radar operation
- Airspace and procedures
- Weather interpretation
People skills
- Decisiveness
- Concentration
- Calm under pressure
- Clear communication
All air traffic controller skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- High pay and federal benefits
- Exciting, important work
- Early retirement eligibility
- No four-year degree required
Cons
- High stress and concentration
- Rotating shifts and overtime
- Age limits for applying
- Long, demanding training
Certifications and licenses
- FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist certification: Earned through FAA training and facility qualification.
- Class II medical certificate: FAA medical standard for controllers.
- Control tower operator (CTO) certificate: Required for tower controllers.
- Facility certifications: Certification on each position at a facility.
Career path
- Developmental Controller: Train at your facility.
- Certified Professional Controller: Work all positions.
- Supervisor or Trainer: Lead shifts and train controllers.
- Facility Manager: Lead a facility.
Learn the job before day one
Our Air Traffic Controller training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as issue a takeoff clearance and handle an aircraft emergency, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Air Traffic Controller vs. Commercial Pilot · Air Traffic Controller vs. 911 Dispatcher · Air Traffic Controller vs. Freight Dispatcher · Air Traffic Controller vs. Power Dispatcher
Air Traffic Controller FAQ
Do air traffic controllers need a degree?
Not necessarily; the FAA provides training.
Is there an age limit?
Most applicants must apply before age 31, and controllers retire by 56.
How long is training?
FAA Academy training plus years of on-the-job training at a facility.
How much does an air traffic controller make?
The median annual wage for air traffic controllers was $148,080 ($71.19 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $78,420 and the highest 10% earned more than $215,610.
How long does it take to become an air traffic controller?
Most people need about FAA Academy plus 2–4 years on the job of training. Most controllers enter through the FAA, completing the Air Traffic Skills Assessment and FAA Academy training. Some complete collegiate training programs first. Veterans with military controller experience may qualify for other paths.
Do you need a degree to be an air traffic controller?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.
More air traffic controller questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-2021 (Air traffic controllers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Air traffic controllers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.