Occupation · SOC 53-2021
Air Traffic Controllers
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.
Median wage
$144,580
$76,090–$210,410
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
22,400
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
13 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingCoordinationActive Learning
Knowledge areas
TransportationEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal Service
Technology & tools
Document management softwareExpert system softwareFlight control softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareData base user interface and query software
Representative tasks
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.Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.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.Initiate or coordinate searches for missing aircraft.Provide on-the-job training to new air traffic controllers.Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots' requests for altitude changes.Relay air traffic information, such as courses, altitudes, or expected arrival times, to control centers.Inspect, adjust, or control radio equipment or airport lights.Compile information about flights from flight plans, pilot reports, radar, or observations.Organize flight plans or traffic management plans to prepare for planes about to enter assigned airspace.Review records or reports for clarity and completeness and maintain records or reports, as required under federal law.Complete daily activity reports and keep records of messages from aircraft.Conduct pre-flight briefings on weather conditions, suggested routes, altitudes, indications of turbulence, or other flight safety information.Analyze factors such as weather reports, fuel requirements, or maps to determine air routes.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Pilot hazard notifications — identify and relay basic weather, wind, and visibility conditions to pilots under direct supervisor guidance in a training tower environment.Landing and take-off authorizations — issue standard clearances following scripted protocols under continuous oversight during simulated or entry-level live operations.Flight transfer procedures — recognize the steps for transferring departing flights to en-route centers and accepting arriving flights under close supervision in a controlled facility.Radar and visual reference tools — operate basic radar displays and computer equipment to locate aircraft positions within an assigned airspace under trainer direction.Traffic pattern instructions — direct pilots to maintain holding patterns when runways are occupied, following established scripts with supervisor review of each transmission.Emergency alert activation — identify emergency situations and initiate contact with airport emergency services using standard protocols under the guidance of a certified controller.Radio communication standards — apply correct phraseology and readback procedures during routine pilot communications in a live or simulated tower cab setting.Aircraft movement monitoring — track ground and airborne traffic within a limited sector using flight strips and display systems with regular check-ins from a supervising controller.Weather data interpretation — read and report basic meteorological information from automated weather observing systems to flight crews during routine shift operations.Separation standards awareness — recognize minimum lateral and vertical separation requirements between aircraft and flag potential conflicts for immediate supervisor review.
developing
Pilot hazard advisories — communicate weather, turbulence, and visibility hazards to multiple flight crews concurrently with reduced oversight during routine operational traffic loads.Takeoff and landing clearances — issue sequenced departure and arrival authorizations accurately and independently across moderate traffic volumes in a terminal radar or tower environment.Sector handoff coordination — execute smooth transfer of flight data and communications between adjacent control positions and centers with minimal supervisory intervention.Radar monitoring and conflict detection — scan assigned airspace continuously using radar and flight control software to identify developing conflicts and apply timely corrective vectors.Emergency flight path guidance — provide alternate routing and diversion instructions to pilots experiencing in-flight emergencies or severe weather encounters in familiar airspace configurations.Emergency services notification — coordinate with airport rescue and firefighting services, relaying accurate aircraft position and situation data during declared or developing emergencies.Ground traffic sequencing — direct aircraft and vehicles on taxiways and aprons to maintain efficient flow and prevent incursions during peak departure and arrival banks.Traffic flow optimization — adjust spacing and sequencing of arriving and departing aircraft to minimize delays while sustaining safety margins during standard busy-period operations.Flight strip and data management — maintain accurate, up-to-date flight progress information using document management and database software throughout a full operational shift.Inter-facility communication — coordinate with approach, departure, and en-route sectors via telecommunications systems to manage hand-offs and special-use airspace restrictions.
proficient
Complex hazard advisories — assess and communicate multiple simultaneous weather and traffic hazards to diverse flight crews autonomously across a full shift in high-density airspace.Non-standard clearance issuance — develop and issue amended routing, altitude, and speed clearances for non-routine scenarios, including military operations and special-event airspace, without supervisor input.Multi-sector traffic management — manage the complete flow of arrivals, departures, and overflights across an entire terminal or en-route sector independently during peak and off-peak periods.Emergency scenario management — execute full emergency response sequences, including pilot guidance, emergency service activation, and facility notifications, for complex in-flight emergencies with minimal delay.Systems performance evaluation — assess the operational effectiveness of radar, flight control software, and communications equipment and recommend corrective actions when system degradation affects safety.Adverse-condition traffic handling — maintain safe and efficient traffic flows during significant weather deviations, equipment outages, or runway closures through real-time problem solving and contingency routing.Situational awareness under high workload — sustain accurate mental models of all traffic within assigned airspace during peak operations, applying selective attention and time-sharing skills to prevent conflicts.Cross-facility coordination leadership — lead real-time coordination with adjacent ATC facilities, airline operations centers, and military agencies during airspace events requiring multi-party solutions.Training progress assessment — evaluate trainee controller performance objectively using established certification criteria and provide structured feedback during on-the-job training sessions.Regulatory compliance assurance — apply FAA orders, procedures, and Letters of Agreement accurately in all operational decisions, ensuring full regulatory compliance throughout complex traffic scenarios.
advanced
Facility-wide safety strategy — establish and champion safety management initiatives, hazard identification programs, and quality assurance processes across an entire ATC facility to sustain organizational safety culture.Controller workforce development — design and oversee structured on-the-job training curricula and certification pathways, mentoring developing controllers to full operational capability at facility and sector level.Airspace design and optimization — lead collaborative reviews of sector boundaries, traffic flow procedures, and Letters of Agreement to improve capacity, efficiency, and safety across a regional airspace structure.Emergency preparedness planning — develop and exercise facility-wide emergency response plans covering equipment failures, security threats, and mass-casualty events in coordination with airport authority and federal agencies.Technology integration leadership — evaluate and champion the adoption of new radar, flight control, and data management technologies, guiding staff through transition and ensuring operational continuity.Performance metrics and accountability — define key operational performance indicators, analyze facility-level data using ERP and reporting tools, and present findings to FAA management to drive continuous improvement.Cross-agency policy coordination — represent the facility in negotiations with airline stakeholders, military commanders, and regulatory bodies to align airspace use policies with national air traffic management goals.Staffing and resource planning — direct workforce scheduling, position qualification tracking, and contingency staffing strategies to sustain 24-hour facility operations under variable traffic and personnel demands.Organizational resilience during crises — lead real-time facility-level decision-making during major weather events, national security incidents, or infrastructure failures, maintaining safe operations and coordinating with the ATCSCC.Industry knowledge dissemination — author procedural guidance, present at aviation safety conferences, and collaborate with academic or training institutions to advance best practices across the air traffic control profession.
Also known as
245 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Air Battle Manager, E-7 (Air Force 13B4S)Airfield Operations, Airlift (Air Force 13M3T)AOC Airspace Control Team Member (Navy 9185)Air Operations Officer, Afloat (Navy 8620)Offshore Control and Surveillance System Officer (Navy 9209)Naval Tactical Data System--Combat Information Center Watch Officer, General (Navy 9227)Joint Terminal Attack Controller Evaluator (Marine Corps 0876)AOC Senior Air Defense Officer (Navy 9145)Operations Officer, Aviation Shore Activity (Navy 8668)Center Air Traffic Controller (Center ATC)Tactical Air Control Center Watch Officer (Navy 9220)Traffic Management CoordinatorTactical Air Control Party (TACP) Craftsman (Air Force 1Z371)Tower Control OperatorAOC Dynamic Targeting Team Member (Navy 9151)Air-Traffic-Control Specialist, StationSpecial Warfare, Combat Rescue Officer (Air Force 19Z3C)Air Battle Manager, General (Air Force 13B1Y)Combat Control Journeyman (Air Force 1Z251)Special Reconnaissance Apprentice (Air Force 1Z431)Combat Control Manager (Air Force 1Z200)AOC AADC Chief of Operations Staff Officer (Navy 9181)Joint Terminal Attack Controller (Marine Corps 8002)Tower Air Traffic Control SpecialistTactical Air Defense Controller (Marine Corps 7236)Air Battle Manager (Air Force 13BX)Air Battle Manager, E-7 (Air Force 13B3S)Aviation Operations Specialist (Army 15P)Air Battle Manager, Other (Air Force 13B4Z)AOC AADC Operations Staff Officer (Navy 9183)Ground Control Approach Technician (GCA Technician)All-Domain Command and Control Operations Journeyman (Air Force 1C351)All-Domain Command and Control Operations Superintendent (Air Force 1C391)Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) (Navy 822A)Airfield Operations, Special Operations (Air Force 13M3Y)Special Reconnaissance Helper (Air Force 1Z411)Airfield Operations, Bomber (Air Force 13M1R)Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Apprentice (Air Force 1Z331)Chief ControllerNaval Tactical Data System--Combat Information Center Officer (Navy 9217)