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Transportation

Air Traffic Control Specialist

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.

Annual openings

96

Median wage

$177,380

Typical education

High school (GED), though a Bachelor's degree or some post-secondary training is common.

Growth 2026–2032

+6%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

High school (GED), though a Bachelor's degree or some post-secondary training is common.

Credential requirement

You must become a Certified Professional Controller. You will train for this after being hired.

Work experience

You must have three years of progressively responsible work experience, or a Bachelor's degree, or a combination of post-secondary education and work experience that totals three years to apply to Air Traffic Control school.

A good overview of how to become an Air Traffic Controller is here
Do you want to know what it's like to be an Air Traffic Control Specialst? Many airports give student tours of their operations. You can also listen in on the communication between air traffic controllers and airplanes.
An overview of the breadth of jobs within the Federal Aviation Administration is here.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenNo
  • On a computerNo
  • OutdoorsNo
  • With your handsNo

Interests it draws on

  • Transportation
  • Aviation

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
  2. Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information.
  3. Initiate or coordinate searches for missing aircraft.
  4. Provide on-the-job training to new air traffic controllers.
  5. Complete daily activity reports and keep records of messages from aircraft.
  6. Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
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