What Do Air Traffic Controller Do?
Position Description 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.
Life As an Air Traffic Controller
- Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
- Inspect, adjust, or control radio equipment or airport lights.
- Relay air traffic information, such as courses, altitudes, or expected arrival times, to control centers.
- Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots’ requests for altitude changes.
- Initiate or coordinate searches for missing aircraft.
- Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information.
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What an Air Traffic Controller Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Air Traffic Controllers say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Other Air Traffic Controller Job Titles
- Airway Controller
- Air Traffic Controller (ATC)
- Airways Operations Specialist
- Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS)
- Control Tower Operator
Is There Going to be Demand for Air Traffic Controllers?
In the United States, there were 24,900 jobs for Air Traffic Controller in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 3.6% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 900 new jobs for Air Traffic Controller by 2026. There will be an estimated 2,400 positions for Air Traffic Controller per year.
The states with the most job growth for Air Traffic Controller are Nevada, Nebraska, and Louisiana. Watch out if you plan on working in Michigan, Wisconsin, or West Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for an Air Traffic Controller
Air Traffic Controllers make between $68,090 and $178,650 a year.
Air Traffic Controllers who work in Illinois, Virginia, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.
How much do Air Traffic Controllers make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $94,370 |
| Alaska | $112,260 |
| Arizona | $110,370 |
| Arkansas | $93,370 |
| California | $132,300 |
| Colorado | $128,210 |
| Connecticut | $88,360 |
| District of Columbia | $75,670 |
| Georgia | $136,210 |
| Hawaii | $110,050 |
| Idaho | $94,910 |
| Illinois | $136,390 |
| Indiana | $122,470 |
| Iowa | $82,460 |
| Kansas | $122,510 |
| Kentucky | $104,890 |
| Louisiana | $86,070 |
| Maryland | $117,610 |
| Massachusetts | $109,430 |
| Michigan | $111,830 |
| Minnesota | $131,330 |
| Mississippi | $84,240 |
| Missouri | $101,280 |
| Montana | $77,150 |
| Nebraska | $92,720 |
| Nevada | $119,600 |
| New Hampshire | $147,350 |
| New Jersey | $118,380 |
| New Mexico | $114,890 |
| New York | $130,840 |
| North Carolina | $109,000 |
| North Dakota | $85,760 |
| Ohio | $131,180 |
| Oklahoma | $109,280 |
| Oregon | $95,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $115,040 |
| South Carolina | $92,070 |
| South Dakota | $82,580 |
| Texas | $133,260 |
| Utah | $118,410 |
| Vermont | $81,630 |
| Virginia | $139,520 |
| West Virginia | $79,710 |
| Wisconsin | $100,500 |
What Tools do Air Traffic Controllers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Air Traffic Controllers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Adobe Acrobat
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- SAP software
- Really Simple Syndication RSS
- Flight simulation software
How do I Become an Air Traffic Controller?
What education is needed to be an Air Traffic Controller?
How Long Does it Take to Become an Air Traffic Controller?
Where Air Traffic Controllers Work
Air Traffic Controllers work in the following industries:
References:
Image Credit: Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol via U.S. Air Force photo
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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