Find salaries. Upload your resume. Sign in. Career Development. This article has been approved by an Indeed Career Coach An air traffic controller job is one of the highest-paying jobs that doesn't always require a four-year degree. What does an air traffic controller do? Providing information to pilots, including runway closures, weather updates and other critical information Alerting airport personnel when there is any kind of aircraft emergency Using computers, radar or visual references to monitor and direct the flow of aircraft in the sky and ground traffic at the airport.
Tower controllers. These air traffic controllers direct the movement of all vehicles, including aircraft, that are on taxiways and runways.
Approach and depart controllers. These professionals ensure that the aircraft traveling in the airspace surrounding an airport maintain minimum separation for safety purposes. En route controllers. This type of air traffic controller monitors aircraft after they leave an airport's airspace. Average salary of an air traffic controller. How to become an air traffic controller.
Pursue an education. Meet the Federal Aviation Administration requirements. Pass the qualifying tests for an FAA training program. Complete an FAA training program. Gain experience. Obtain a certification. Pass a medical evaluation and drug screening. Pass a background check. Complete a training course at FAA Academy before turning Frequently asked questions about being an air traffic controller. How long does it take to become an air traffic controller? There are several different paths to becoming an air traffic controller.
A candidate must have either 3 years of progressively responsible work experience, a bachelor's degree, a combination of postsecondary education and work experience totaling three years, or obtain a degree through an Federal Aviation Administration FAA -approved Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative AT-CTI program.
The biographical assessment, also known as a biodata test, is a behavioral consistency exam that evaluates a candidate's personality fitness to become an air traffic controller. Controllers also must pass a physical exam each year and a job performance exam twice per year.
In addition, they must pass periodic drug screenings. Candidates who want to become air traffic controllers typically need an associate's or a bachelor's degree from an AT-CTI program.
Other candidates must have 3 years of progressively responsible work experience, have completed 4 years of college, or have a combination of both. AT-CTI schools offer 2- or 4-year degrees that are designed to prepare students for a career in air traffic control.
The curriculum is not standardized, but courses focus on subjects that are fundamental to aviation. Topics include aviation weather, airspace, clearances, reading charts, federal regulations, and related topics. The length of training varies with the applicant's background. Applicants must be hired by their 31st birthday. After graduating from the Academy, trainees are assigned to an air traffic control facility as developmental controllers , until they complete all requirements for becoming a certified air traffic controller.
Developmental controllers begin their careers by supplying pilots with basic flight data and airport information. They then advance to positions within the control room that have more responsibility. As the developmental controllers master various duties, they earn increases in pay and advance in their training. Those with previous controller experience may take less time to become fully certified.
There are opportunities for a controller to switch from one position to another, provided that additional training is completed. For example, a controller may transfer from an en route position to an airport tower position with additional Academy training.
Within both of these positions, controllers can transfer to jobs at different locations or advance to supervisory positions. Applicants may need to have up to 3 years of progressively responsible generalized work experience in any occupation, or a combination of work experience and college education.
More work experience is necessary to substitute for less postsecondary education. They must be at least 18 years old, fluent in English, and comply with all knowledge and skill requirements.
Communication skills. Air traffic controllers must be able to give clear, concise instructions, listen carefully to pilots' requests, and respond by speaking clearly in English.
Concentration skills. Controllers must be able to concentrate in a room where multiple conversations occur at once.
For example, in a large airport tower, several controllers may be speaking with several pilots at the same time.
Decisionmaking skills. Controllers must make quick decisions. For example, when a pilot requests a change of altitude to avoid poor weather, the controller must respond quickly so that the plane can operate safely. Math skills. Controllers must be able to do arithmetic accurately and quickly. They often need to compute speeds, times, and distances, and they recommend heading and altitude changes. Organizational skills. Controllers must be able to coordinate the actions of multiple flights.
Controllers need to be able to prioritize tasks, because they may be required to guide several pilots at the same time. Problem-solving skills. Controllers must be able to understand complex situations, such as the impact of changing weather patterns on a plane's flight path. Controllers must be able to review important information and provide pilots with appropriate solutions.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The median annual wages for air traffic controllers in the top industries in which they work are as follows:.
The role requires intense concentration and very fast reaction times to respond to changing conditions. However, work schedules can vary by size of airport. Although they make less starting out, air traffic controllers can make six-figure salaries with several years of experience.
Using self-reported salaries from people as of July , PayScale compiled this average air traffic controller salary projection that accounts for experience:. The BLS mentioned that around 24, air traffic controllers worked in the U. This job growth of 1 percent falls short of the 5 percent expected across all occupations. The BLS attributes efficiency with air transportation systems as the reason for not needing so many controllers.
Despite this, you may still find a position because controllers will retire over that period. Having military experience could help you against the competition for air traffic controller jobs. Ashley Donohoe started writing professionally in about career, business and technology topics. She has a Master of Business Administration degree from Western Governors University along with eight years of experience managing all aspects of her small business.
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