USA Career Guide- Air Traffic Controllers
Education needed to be Air Traffic Controllers
To become air traffic controller you should have an air traffic management degree from a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified school and should meet the following prerequisites:
- Achieve a qualifying score on the FAA pre-employment test
- Complete a training course at the FAA Academy
- Must be less than 31 years age
- Must be US citizen
Controllers with previous air traffic control experience, such as from the military, may not need to complete the FAA education requirements.
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.
Pay of Air Traffic Controllers
As reported by BLS the median annual wage of air traffic controllers was $108,040 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $54,480, and the top 10 percent earned more than $165,660.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the starting salary for new controllers was $37,070 in 2010. Controllers’ salaries increase as they complete each new training phase. According to the FAA, controllers who have already completed on-the-job training had an average annual salary of $118,000 in 2010. For all air traffic controllers, including trainees, the average annual salary was $104,000 in 2010.
Job Prospects of Air Traffic Controllers
Employment of air traffic controllers is projected to decline by 3 percent from 2010 to 2020. Most employment opportunities will result from the need to replace workers who retire.
Extremely keen competition is expected for air traffic controller jobs because the occupation attracts many more qualified applicants than the small number of job openings that result mostly from replacement needs. Replacement needs are very low because of the relatively high pay, liberal retirement benefits, and controllers' very strong attachment to the occupation.
Job opportunities will be best for individuals in their early 20s who obtain an air traffic management degree from a FAA certified school.
Industrial Overview of Air Traffic Controllers
Air traffic controllers held about 27,000 jobs in 2010. The vast majority of controllers—about 94 percent—worked for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
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