Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
There are several paths to becoming an air traffic controller. Candidates typically need an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree from the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program, several years of progressively responsible work experience, or a combination of education and experience. They also must be a U.S. citizen, submit to medical and background checks, and complete training at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) academy. PayThe median annual wage for air traffic controllers was $148,080 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of air traffic controllers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,100 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for air traffic controllers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of air traffic controllers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about air traffic controllers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for air traffic controllers was $148,080 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of air traffic controllers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,100 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for air traffic controllers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of air traffic controllers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about air traffic controllers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of air traffic controllers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,100 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for air traffic controllers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of air traffic controllers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about air traffic controllers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of aircraft to maintain safe distances between them.
Work Environment
Air traffic controllers work in control towers, approach control facilities, or en route centers. Their work can be stressful because maximum concentration is required at all times. Night, weekend, and rotating shifts are common.
How to Become an Air Traffic Controller
There are several paths to becoming an air traffic controller. Candidates typically need an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree from the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program, several years of progressively responsible work experience, or a combination of education and experience. They also must be a U.S. citizen, submit to medical and background checks, and complete training at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) academy.
Pay
The median annual wage for air traffic controllers was $148,080 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of air traffic controllers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 2,100 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for air traffic controllers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of air traffic controllers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about air traffic controllers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Air traffic controllers work in control towers, approach control facilities, or en route centers. Their work can be stressful because maximum concentration is required at all times. Night, weekend, and rotating shifts are common.
How to Become an Air Traffic Controller
There are several paths to becoming an air traffic controller. Candidates typically need an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree from the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program, several years of progressively responsible work experience, or a combination of education and experience. They also must be a U.S. citizen, submit to medical and background checks, and complete training at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) academy.
Pay
The median annual wage for air traffic controllers was $148,080 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of air traffic controllers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 2,100 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for air traffic controllers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of air traffic controllers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about air traffic controllers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for air traffic controllers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of air traffic controllers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about air traffic controllers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about air traffic controllers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.