What Does an Air Traffic Controller Do?
Air traffic controllers direct the movement of aircraft on the ground and in the air to maintain safe separation and efficient traffic flow. They communicate with pilots to provide clearances, weather updates, and navigation instructions. This high-stakes profession requires exceptional focus, quick decision-making, and the ability to perform under intense pressure.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS), Air Traffic Controller (ATC), Center Air Traffic Controller (Center ATC), Certified Professional Controller (CPC), Control Tower Operator, Enroute Air Traffic Controller (Enroute ATC), Radar Air Traffic Controller, Terminal Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal ATC Specialist).
Air Traffic Controller Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of an air traffic controller include:
- Issue takeoff and landing clearances to pilots based on traffic conditions and runway availability.
- Monitor radar screens to track aircraft positions and maintain safe separation distances.
- Provide pilots with weather updates, traffic advisories, and navigation instructions.
- Coordinate with adjacent control facilities for smooth handoffs of aircraft between sectors.
- Manage ground traffic including taxiing aircraft, vehicles, and personnel on airport surfaces.
- Respond to emergency situations by prioritizing affected aircraft and coordinating rescue services.
- Sequence arriving and departing traffic to maximize runway and airspace efficiency.
- Maintain communication logs and incident reports as required by FAA regulations.
- Participate in recurrent training, proficiency evaluations, and simulation exercises.
- Brief incoming controllers during shift changes on current traffic conditions and active procedures.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as an air traffic controller, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Radar interpretation and aircraft tracking
- Rapid decision-making under pressure
- Clear and precise radio communication
- Spatial awareness and mental visualization
- Multi-tasking and prioritization
- FAA regulations and procedures
- Stress management and composure
- Teamwork and coordination
Education and Training
Air traffic controllers must complete the FAA Academy training program in Oklahoma City after being hired through the FAA's competitive selection process. Candidates typically need a bachelor's degree or a combination of education and work experience, or three years of progressively responsible work experience. Graduates of FAA-approved Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) programs have a direct pathway into the profession. All controllers must pass medical examinations, background checks, and aptitude assessments. They must be hired before age 31 and face mandatory retirement at age 56.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $104,520 - $190,570 per year, with a median of $148,080.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Air Traffic Controllers.
Air traffic controller positions offer excellent compensation and benefits as federal government employees. The FAA periodically opens hiring windows to replace retiring controllers, and competition for these positions is intense. Modernization initiatives including NextGen technology are changing how controllers manage traffic, requiring ongoing training and adaptation. The career provides strong job security and a defined benefit pension. Experienced controllers may advance to supervisory positions, traffic management roles, or FAA headquarters positions.
Air Traffic Controller Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $78,420 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $104,520 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $148,080 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $190,570 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $215,610 |
Highest-Paying States for Air Traffic Controllers
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are Virginia ($191,820), Illinois ($181,560), Georgia ($178,420), Colorado ($177,380), Minnesota ($176,840). Pay is lowest in Iowa ($90,790), Mississippi ($88,110), District of Columbia ($47,760).
Median pay in all 43 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $114,960 |
| Alaska | $123,950 |
| Arizona | $136,800 |
| Arkansas | $109,760 |
| California | $160,080 |
| Colorado | $177,380 |
| Connecticut | $140,940 |
| District of Columbia | $47,760 |
| Florida | $147,530 |
| Georgia | $178,420 |
| Hawaii | $158,700 |
| Illinois | $181,560 |
| Indiana | $158,810 |
| Iowa | $90,790 |
| Kansas | $159,700 |
| Kentucky | $127,800 |
| Louisiana | $99,810 |
| Maine | $107,270 |
| Maryland | $131,290 |
| Massachusetts | $125,060 |
| Michigan | $118,930 |
| Minnesota | $176,840 |
| Mississippi | $88,110 |
| Missouri | $122,200 |
| Montana | $101,380 |
| Nebraska | $111,710 |
| Nevada | $140,920 |
| New Jersey | $132,230 |
| New Mexico | $148,550 |
| New York | $144,960 |
| North Carolina | $129,230 |
| North Dakota | $107,990 |
| Oklahoma | $123,220 |
| Pennsylvania | $132,350 |
| Rhode Island | $126,300 |
| South Carolina | $112,030 |
| Tennessee | $157,330 |
| Texas | $170,080 |
| Utah | $158,310 |
| Vermont | $109,140 |
| Virginia | $191,820 |
| Washington | $162,570 |
| Wyoming | $93,580 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as air traffic controllers about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 99% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 97% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 97% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 88% spend more than half the workday sitting
- 78% use their hands on tools, objects or controls for more than half the day
- 62% are on the phone every day
- 59% have a lot of freedom to make decisions
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or GED | 36% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 21% |
| Bachelor's degree | 20% |
| Associate's degree | 14% |
Tools and Software Air Traffic Controllers Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy organized work with data, records and clear procedures as well as hands-on work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving.
Knowledge areas used most: Transportation, English Language, Public Safety and Security, Education and Training, Customer and Personal Service.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 3 of 5, which means medium preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 53-2021.00 (Air Traffic Controllers). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.