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Air Traffic Controllers

General Information

Description

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.

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Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

Job Outlook

Projected Job Growth (2022 - 2032)
0%
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Job Outlook

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Employment of air traffic controllers is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,000 openings for air traffic controllers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Salary

Salary Information

Median Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.

$132,250

Median Military Salary Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

$59,251

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State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

Salary Range Salary varies based on years of experience, degree level and location.

$77,580
$169,940
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Education & Interests

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • High school 36%
  • Bachelor's degree 20%
  • Post-secondary certificate 20%
  • Associate's degree 14%
  • Some college 5%
  • Post baccalaureate 1%
  • Less than high school 1%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:

  • Enterprising — You have an interest in managing, negotiating and marketing, or leading and advising others.
  • Conventional — You have an interest in following procedures and regulations to organize information or data.

Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership

Knowledge

  • Transportation
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Education and Training
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Geography

Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.