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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

Job Outlook

Employment of air traffic controllers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2020 to 2030, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,500 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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Job Outlook

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Employment of air traffic controllers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2020 to 2030, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,500 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

Average Salary

Salary

$130,420

Military salary*

$100,584

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State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$158,880
$25,500
No Information for this section

Education

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

Knowledge

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

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
No Information for this section

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

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.