Occupation Profile | NC Careers.org

Annual Salary (Wages)

Lower End Wage (10th Percentile)

$85,650($41.18/hr)

Middle Wage (50th Percentile)

$120,580($57.97/hr)

Higher End Wage (90th Percentile)

$186,310($89.57/hr)

Ratings

Wage (5/5)
*****$
Job Openings (2/5)
**$---
Job Growth Rate (2/5)
**$---
Experience Level (3/5)
***$--

Common Job Titles

Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS)
Air Traffic Controller (ATC)
Air Traffic Manager
Access Control Specialist
Air Traffic Control Support Specialist
Communications Officer
Controls Specialist
Technical Communicator
Traffic Control Manager
Traffic Control Specialist
Traffic Management Coordinator
Control Tower Operator
Center Air Traffic Controller (Center ATC)
Certified Professional Controller (CPC)
Enroute Air Traffic Controller (Enroute ATC)
Radar Air Traffic Controller
Terminal Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal ATC Specialist)
Tower Air Traffic Controller (Tower ATC)
Air Route Controller
Air Route Traffic Controller
Air Traffic Coordinator
Aircraft Communicator
Airport Traffic Controller
Airway Controller
Airway Traffic Controller
Airways Control Specialist
Airways Operations Specialist
Communications Operator
Dispatcher
Flight Communications Officer
Flight Control Specialist
Flight Dispatcher
Flight Radio Officer
Flight Radio Operator
Flight Service Specialist
Flight Tower Dispatcher
Ground Control Approach Technician (GCA Technician)
Signal Tower Operator
Tower Control Operator
Air Traffic Control Operator
Airline Dispatcher
Airport Tower Controller
Enroute Controller
Station Air Traffic Control Specialist
Tower Air Traffic Control Specialist

Similar Occupations

Occupation Code

532021 - Air Traffic Controllers

Pathway

Transportation Systems/Infrastructure Planning, Management and Regulation

NCDPI Career Pathways

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Annual Median Wage
$ 120,580
$85,650 $186,310
Annual NC Wage Range
Growth Rate
Slow Growing

Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of aircraft, including within the vicinity of airports and between altitude sectors and control centers, so that they maintain safe distances.
What do they typically do
Monitor and direct the movement of aircraft on the ground and in the air
Control all ground traffic at airport runways and taxiways
Issue takeoff and landing instructions to pilots
Transfer control of departing flights to other traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights
Inform pilots about weather, runway closures, and other critical information
Alert airport response staff in the event of an aircraft emergency
Number of Jobs
Average Annual
Job Growth +0.8%
Job Opening
Job Listings
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Education & Training
Education
Most occupations require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associated Programs or Majors
Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science And Technology, General
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License
Aircraft Dispatcher
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NC Workforce Credentials
Private Training Programs
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Interests

Conventional
Realistic
Enterprising

Work Place

Most controllers work for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Most air traffic controllers work in control towers, approach control facilities, or en route centers. Many tower controllers and approach and departure controllers work near large airports. En route controllers work in secure office buildings across the country, which typically are not located at airports. Most controllers work in semidark rooms. The aircraft they control appear as points of light moving across their radar screens, and a well-lit room would make it difficult to see the screens properly. Air traffic controllers must remain focused and react quickly to conditions that change frequently. Being responsible for the safety of aircraft and their passengers may be stressful and exhausting. To prevent burnout, the FAA requires controllers to retire at age 56. Most air traffic controllers work full time. The FAA regulates the hours that an air traffic controller may work. Controllers may not work more than 10 straight hours during a shift, which includes required breaks, and must have 9 hours of rest before their next shift. Major airports may operate control towers on a 24-hour basis. Controllers who work at these facilities may work day, evening, or night shifts that include weekends and holidays. Small airports or those that are less busy may have towers that do not operate around the clock. Controllers at these facilities may have standard work schedules.

Top Skills & Abilities

Process Improvement
Process Tracking
Judgment and Decision Making
Complex Problem Solving
Teamwork
Active Listening
Monitoring
Active Learning
Systems Analysis
Speaking

Knowledge/Specialties

Transportation
Geography
Telecommunications
Public Safety and Security
Education and Training
Physics
Law and Government

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required.

Training

Usually one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers - an apprenticeship may be available.

Annual NC Wage Range

What do they typically do

Number of Jobs

Job Listings

Education & Training

By Goal Career

By Current Occupation