Typical salaries for this career vary widely depending on education, skills, experience, employer & location. Generally, the higher the pay, the more experienced you are and the greater your responsibility.
The average annual salary for an air traffic controller is $120,830, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But, a controller's salary can be significantly lower in some states.
In order to become an air traffic controller, you need an associate's or bachelor's degree from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program. Additionally, you need to submit to medical and background checks, take tests at the FAA academy and pass the air traffic control licensing exam.
Employment outlook for this career is projected to show little or no change over the next ten years, a trend that's likely to continue. Moreover, because the number of flights is expected to grow at a slow rate, employment for air traffic controllers may increase at a slower pace than other occupations.
Most air traffic controllers work a 24-hour schedule at major airports. They can rotate their shifts among day, evening and night hours. During off-peak times, they can work weekends and holidays.
A traffic control specialist's day typically includes a lot of walking and standing in the rain, so they need to be prepared with good quality Personal Protective Equipment PPE, such as steel-capped shoes, high visibility vests and long-sleeved tops. They also need to be able to stay focused on their duties without distractions. Now you know more about how much traffic control makes. Please leave your thoughts and comments below.
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