The FAA plans to hire and train more than ten thousand air traffic control specialists over the next decade, read the eighth annual update to the Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan 2013-2022 (PDF) for more information.
Air Traffic Controllers
Watch a typical day in the life of an Air Traffic Controller
If you're looking for an exciting, challenging and rewarding aviation career, become an FAA Air Traffic Controller.
Every day of the year, and especially on holidays, more than 15,000 federal controllers at 315 FAA air traffic facilities are on the job, guiding more than 87,000 flights every day across our national airspace system. Do you have what it takes to help us control the skies?
Minimum Requirements
To be an Air Traffic Control Specialist, you must:
Air Traffic Controller Employment FAQ
Air Traffic Controllers
Watch a typical day in the life of an Air Traffic Controller
If you're looking for an exciting, challenging and rewarding aviation career, become an FAA Air Traffic Controller.
Every day of the year, and especially on holidays, more than 15,000 federal controllers at 315 FAA air traffic facilities are on the job, guiding more than 87,000 flights every day across our national airspace system. Do you have what it takes to help us control the skies?
Minimum Requirements
To be an Air Traffic Control Specialist, you must:
- Be a United States citizen
- Start at the FAA Academy no later than your 31st birthday
- Pass a medical examination
- Pass a security investigation
- Have three years of progressively responsible work experience, or a Bachelor's degree, or a combination of post-secondary education and work experience that totals three years.
- Pass the FAA air traffic pre-employment tests
- Speak English clearly enough to be understood over communications equipment
Air Traffic Controller Employment FAQ
- General Qualifications
- Hiring Process
- Pre-Employment
- Pay, Benefits, and Training
- Search All Questions