Air Traffic Controller: career path and pay in the US
Where a Air Traffic Controller goes next, what each step typically pays in the United States, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 4 steps, from Air Traffic Controller Trainee to Air Traffic Control Manager / Director of Air Traffic Services.
Also for the United Kingdom: Air Traffic Controller in the UK
The path
Step 1 · 0 to 2 years
Air Traffic Controller Trainee
$80K to $120K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Air Traffic Control Training (required) - US, National Air Traffic Services (NATS) Training (required) - UK/EU.
Step 2 · 2 to 10 years
Air Traffic Controller
$90K to $135K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Air Traffic Control Certification - US, NATS Certification - UK/EU, ICAO English Language Proficiency (required) - Global.
Step 3 · 10 to 20 years
Senior Air Traffic Controller / Supervisor
$100K to $150K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Air Traffic Control Certification - US, NATS Certification - UK/EU, ICAO English Language Proficiency - Global, Supervisory Skills Certification (optional) - Global.
Step 4 · 20+ years
Air Traffic Control Manager / Director of Air Traffic Services
$105K to $160K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Air Traffic Control Certification - US, NATS Certification - UK/EU, ICAO English Language Proficiency - Global, Aviation Management Certification (optional) - Global.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
24% → 24%
Stays level across the path. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
$80K to $120K → $105K to $160K
US estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US. The published figure for Air Traffic Controller sat below the previous step, so this band is set 12% above it. The published figure for Senior Air Traffic Controller sat below the previous step, so this band is set 12% above it.
What the work involves
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.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge areas
- Transportation
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Geography
Education people bring
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED): 36%
- Post-Secondary Certificate: 21%
- Bachelor's Degree: 20%
Job Zone 3, job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Other paths from here
- Aviation Manager
- Operations Manager
- Safety Manager
- Training Manager
More Transportation/Logistics paths in the US
Related occupations in O*NET: Airfield Operations Specialists, Commercial Pilots, Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers, Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters, Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors.
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SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US, US national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to $5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.