Air Traffic Controllers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Air Traffic Controllers fall under the Transportation and Material Moving category in the U.S. occupational classification. Air Traffic Controllers earn a median salary of $144,580 per year, ranking in the top 2% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +1.2% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do air traffic controllers earn?

The median annual wage for air traffic controllers is $144,580. That puts air traffic controllers at #19 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Pay at this level is well above the U.S. median household income, signaling sustained demand and meaningful credential requirements. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is air traffic controllers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for air traffic controllers is +1.2%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 24K positions in 2024 to 24K in 2034, a net change of 0K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do air traffic controllers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working air traffic controllers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
2. 2.Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
3. 3.Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
4. 4.Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.
5. 5.Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.
6. 6.Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes.
7. 7.Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
8. 8.Provide on-the-job training to new air traffic controllers.

Top skills for air traffic controllers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become air traffic controller?

Many air traffic controllers enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
  $226,600 median
• Commercial Pilots
  $122,670 median
• Ship Engineers
  $101,320 median
• Transportation Inspectors
  $85,750 median
• Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
  $85,540 median
• Subway and Streetcar Operators
  $84,830 median

Common questions parents ask about air traffic controllers