Description
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.
Interests
- Conventional
- Realistic
- Enterprising
Work Values
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Stress Tolerance
- Dependability
- Adaptability/Flexibility
- Persistence
Tasks
- Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
- Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
- Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
- Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
- Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
Work Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Getting Information
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Detailed Work Activities
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Technology Skills
- Spreadsheet software
- Presentation software
- Flight control software
- Expert system software
- Electronic mail software
Abilities
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Selective Attention
- Deductive Reasoning
Skills
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge
- Transportation
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Air Traffic Control Tower OperatorCertifying Organization
Federal Aviation Administration
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Professional Traffic Operations EngineerCertifying Organization
Transportation Professional Certification Board, Inc.
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Private Pilot, Airplane Multi Engine RatingCertifying Organization
Federal Aviation Administration
Type
Specialty
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $63,225 |
| Median (50%) | $114,521 |
| High (90%) | $235,081 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $116,035 |
| Mid Level | $122,666 |
| Senior Level | $135,876 |
| Expert Level | $173,723 |
Employability
There are currently 24,000 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 24,700 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 3%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 3%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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