Air Traffic Controller

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Work Tasks

• Direct pilots to runways when space is available,
• Tell pilots when it is safe to take off and land
• Watch planes in the air and make sure they stay at a safe distance from one another
• Tell pilots another path to fly if they cannot stay on the planned path
• Work indoors in control towers, mostly for the Federal Aviation Administration or the military
• Work with radar and radio equipment, runway lighting systems that control traffic, and weather reports

Salary, Size & Growth

• $111,000 average per year ($53.25 per hour)
• A small occupation (24,000 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.3% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: Either 4 years of college or 3 years of work experience and passing a week-long test
• Skills/Courses: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) training takes 7 months and includes airway systems, FAA regulations, controller equipment, and aircraft performance characteristics.
• Certification/Licensing: Certification by the FAA is required. Each year additional training and tests are required.