Life As an Air Traffic Controller
Position 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.
What Do Air Traffic Controllers Do On a Daily Basis?
- Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance or baggage vehicles, or airport workers.
- Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
- Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
- Analyze factors such as weather reports, fuel requirements, or maps to determine air routes.
- Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement.
- Initiate or coordinate searches for missing aircraft.
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Air Traffic Controller Skills
Air Traffic Controllers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Types of Air Traffic Controller Jobs
- Air Traffic Controller, Center
- Tower Air Traffic Control Specialist
- Chief Communications Officer
- Chief Controller
- Aircraft Communicator
Air Traffic Controller Job Outlook
There were about 24,900 jobs for Air Traffic Controller in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 3.6% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 900 new jobs for Air Traffic Controller by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,400 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Air Traffic Controller are Nevada, Nebraska, and Louisiana. Watch out if you plan on working in Michigan, Wisconsin, or West Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Air Traffic Controller Salary
The typical yearly salary for Air Traffic Controllers is somewhere between $68,090 and $178,650.
Air Traffic Controllers who work in Illinois, Virginia, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.
How much do Air Traffic Controllers make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $94,370 |
| Alaska | $112,260 |
| Arizona | $110,370 |
| Arkansas | $93,370 |
| California | $132,300 |
| Colorado | $128,210 |
| Connecticut | $88,360 |
| District of Columbia | $75,670 |
| Georgia | $136,210 |
| Hawaii | $110,050 |
| Idaho | $94,910 |
| Illinois | $136,390 |
| Indiana | $122,470 |
| Iowa | $82,460 |
| Kansas | $122,510 |
| Kentucky | $104,890 |
| Louisiana | $86,070 |
| Maryland | $117,610 |
| Massachusetts | $109,430 |
| Michigan | $111,830 |
| Minnesota | $131,330 |
| Mississippi | $84,240 |
| Missouri | $101,280 |
| Montana | $77,150 |
| Nebraska | $92,720 |
| Nevada | $119,600 |
| New Hampshire | $147,350 |
| New Jersey | $118,380 |
| New Mexico | $114,890 |
| New York | $130,840 |
| North Carolina | $109,000 |
| North Dakota | $85,760 |
| Ohio | $131,180 |
| Oklahoma | $109,280 |
| Oregon | $95,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $115,040 |
| South Carolina | $92,070 |
| South Dakota | $82,580 |
| Texas | $133,260 |
| Utah | $118,410 |
| Vermont | $81,630 |
| Virginia | $139,520 |
| West Virginia | $79,710 |
| Wisconsin | $100,500 |
What Tools do Air Traffic Controllers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Air Traffic Controllers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Adobe Acrobat
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- SAP software
- Really Simple Syndication RSS
- Flight simulation software
How to Become an Air Traffic Controller
What education or degrees do I need to become an Air Traffic Controller?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Air Traffic Controllers Work
Air Traffic Controllers work in the following industries:
References:
Image Credit: Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol via U.S. Air Force photo
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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