Air Traffic Controllers in Virginia
Considering working as an Air Traffic Controllers in Virginia? Here’s what the data says. 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 Virginia?
For a air traffic controllers working in Virginia, the typical annual salary is $185,890 per year (or about $89.37/hour).Pay can range from $91,020 at the 10th percentile to $221,890 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $91,020 | $43.76 |
| 25th percentile | $137,470 | $66.09 |
| Median (50th) | $185,890 | $89.37 |
| 75th percentile | $209,060 | $100.51 |
| 90th percentile | $221,890 | $106.68 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Virginia relative to the national average — is 1.92, indicating that air traffic controllers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, air traffic controllers earn a median of $46,187 per year ($22.21/hour), above the Virginia median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 502,845 air traffic controllers nationwide. In Virginia alone, about 1,130 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 240 air traffic controllers.
Top Virginia Metros for Air Traffic Controllers
These are the Virginia metros with the most air traffic controllers in Virginia.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 90 | $116,920 |
Top States for Air Traffic Controllers Employment
These states have the highest employment of 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
Where air traffic controllers earn the most: 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
Top 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
The abilities that matter most for air traffic controllers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, 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?
Related college programs include:
- Air Transportation
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar 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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