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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.
Other titles employers use
Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) · Air Traffic Controller (ATC) · Center Air Traffic Controller (Center ATC) · Certified Professional Controller (CPC) · Control Tower Operator · Enroute Air Traffic Controller (Enroute ATC) · Radar Air Traffic Controller · Terminal Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal ATC Specialist)
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to organizing, practical and persuading work.
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
Subjects to know
- Transportation
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
Useful strengths
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Selective Attention
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.3 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 2.3 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.1 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 4.2 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for an associate degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 38%
- A certificate or some college 26%
- A four-year degree 20%
- A two-year degree 14%
- A master's degree 2%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Document management software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Presentation software
- Word processing software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 2,700
- Job openings each year
- 240
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 3.8%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,700 | 240 | 3.8% |
| Florida | 2,390 | 220 | 15.5% |
| Texas | 2,070 | 190 | 7.8% |
| Virginia | 1,240 | 110 | 6.9% |
| Georgia | 960 | 80 | 1.1% |
| District of Columbia | 820 | 70 | −2.4% |
| Ohio | 730 | 60 | 2.8% |
| Colorado | 710 | 60 | 2.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 710 | 60 | 2.9% |
| Minnesota | 650 | 60 | 4.8% |
| Tennessee | 650 | 60 | 12.1% |
| Indiana | 630 | 60 | 3.3% |
| Washington | 610 | 60 | 3.4% |
| Alaska | 490 | 40 | 2.1% |
| New Hampshire | 430 | 40 | −2.3% |
| Utah | 370 | 30 | 12.1% |
| Kansas | 350 | 30 | 2.9% |
| Arizona | 340 | 30 | 3.0% |
| Michigan | 310 | 30 | −3.1% |
| Louisiana | 270 | 20 | 8.0% |
| Missouri | 270 | 20 | 8.0% |
| Nevada | 270 | 30 | 12.5% |
| New Mexico | 270 | 20 | — |
| Oklahoma | 270 | 20 | — |
| Arkansas | 240 | 20 | 4.3% |
| South Carolina | 210 | 20 | 10.5% |
| Oregon | 200 | 20 | 11.1% |
| Wisconsin | 150 | 20 | 7.1% |
| Mississippi | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| West Virginia | 130 | 10 | — |
| Maryland | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Iowa | 110 | 10 | — |
| North Dakota | 100 | 10 | — |
| Nebraska | 80 | 10 | — |
| Idaho | 60 | 10 | — |
| Vermont | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Degrees each year
- 586
- Admit rate
- 66%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
Liberty University
- Degrees each year
- 484
- Admit rate
- 99%
- Annual cost after aid
- $27,000
University of North Dakota
- Degrees each year
- 337
- Admit rate
- 77%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
Middle Tennessee State University
- Degrees each year
- 212
- Admit rate
- 68%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Western Michigan University
- Degrees each year
- 207
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- Degrees each year
- 171
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Purdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 140
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Auburn University
- Degrees each year
- 131
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000