Air Traffic Controllers in Puerto Rico
Want to work as an Air Traffic Controllers in Puerto Rico? Here’s what you need to know. 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 Make in Puerto Rico?
The air traffic controllers working in Puerto Rico, wages run about $119,560 per year (or roughly $57.48/hour).Annual wages span from $70,640 at the 10th percentile to $159,410 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $70,640 | $33.96 |
| 25th percentile | $85,650 | $41.18 |
| Median (50th) | $119,560 | $57.48 |
| 75th percentile | $139,980 | $67.30 |
| 90th percentile | $159,410 | $76.64 |
The job concentration index in Puerto Rico compared to the national average — is 0.85, indicating fewer air traffic controllers per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, air traffic controllers earn a median of $46,187 per year ($22.21/hour), above the Puerto Rico median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 502,845 air traffic controllers across the United States. In Puerto Rico alone, approximately 120 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 240 air traffic controllers.
Top Puerto Rico Metros for Air Traffic Controllers
The metro areas below employ the most air traffic controllers in Puerto Rico.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | 120 | $119,560 |
Top States for Air Traffic Controllers Employment
The table below shows the states where the most air traffic controllers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 2,260 |
| Texas | 2,020 |
| Florida | 1,980 |
| New York | 1,190 |
| Virginia | 1,130 |
| Illinois | 1,000 |
| Georgia | 970 |
| Colorado | 780 |
| District of Columbia | 700 |
| Minnesota | 630 |
| Indiana | 620 |
| Tennessee | 610 |
| Washington | 600 |
| Alaska | 500 |
| North Carolina | 440 |
| Pennsylvania | 410 |
| Kansas | 410 |
| Michigan | 380 |
| Arizona | 380 |
| New Mexico | 360 |
Highest-Paying States for Air Traffic Controllers
The highest-paying states for air traffic controllers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia | $185,890 |
| Minnesota | $176,030 |
| Illinois | $175,090 |
| Georgia | $174,600 |
| Colorado | $172,310 |
| Texas | $167,710 |
| Washington | $164,070 |
| Kansas | $156,620 |
| Utah | $156,120 |
| Indiana | $155,790 |
Skills
The most important air traffic controllers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for air traffic controllers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Air Traffic Controllers typically:
- Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
- Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
- Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
- Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
- Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
- Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
- Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.
- Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.
- Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance or baggage vehicles, or airport workers.
- Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information.
- Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement.
- Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes.
Work Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Getting Information
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Processing Information
- Training and Teaching Others
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Thinking Creatively
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Air Transportation
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Related Careers
Related occupations to air traffic controllers include:
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
- Public Safety Telecommunicators
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
- Avionics Technicians
- Power Distributors and Dispatchers
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Also Known As
Access Control Specialist, Air Route Controller, Air Route Traffic Controller, Air Traffic Control Operator, Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS), Air Traffic Control Support Specialist (ATC Support Specialist), Air Traffic Controller (ATC), Air Traffic Coordinator, Air Traffic Manager, Aircraft Communicator, Airline Dispatcher, Airport Tower Controller, Airport Traffic Controller, Airway Controller, Airway Traffic Controller.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 53-2021.00
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