Air Traffic Controllers
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.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Air Traffic Controllers to increase by 1.7% between 2024 and 2034, from 24,000 to 24,400 jobs. Its estimate of 2,100 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($148,080), education (Associate's degree), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
24,000
Projected employment (2034)
24,400
Projected change (2024–2034)
2%
Annual openings (projected average)
2,100
Pay & Preparation
$148,080
Associate's degree
None
Long-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Active Listening (4.38/5) • Speaking (4.25/5) • Critical Thinking (4.12/5) • Judgment and Decision Making (4.12/5) • Monitoring (4/5) • Complex Problem Solving (4/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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