Air Traffic Controller Hiring
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Air traffic control specialists (ATC) are an elite group of more than 14,000 people working across the country to ensure the safety and flight efficiency of aircraft, pilots, and 2.9 million daily passengers. FAA controllers work from more than 400 locations, including airport towers and radar facilities, monitoring and managing about 50,000 flights a day, during peak travel times. You can help manage the flow of aircraft on runways, guide pilots during takeoff and landing, and monitor aircraft as they travel from the ground, through the skies, and land safely back on the ground.
Being an air traffic controller is one of the best, most rewarding jobs in America, and the next generation at the Academy is the best in the world. I witnessed firsthand the dedication, skill, and rigor that our future air traffic controllers bring to their training and the urgent need to do all that we can to recruit more people to join in our shared mission of safety in our skies. - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy
The FAA has rigorous qualification requirements for air traffic controllers. Health conditions like hearing loss, heart disease, or certain mental disorders could disqualify you for employment. Review our robust medical standards prior to applying.
Am I eligible?
Applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Speak English fluently and clearly
- Be younger than 31 years old before the closing date of the application period
- Have either one year of full-time work experience or one year of higher education, or a combination of both
- Be physically and mentally fit and meet standards for vision, hearing, cardiovascular, neurological and psychiatric health
Application Process
We have streamlined the hiring process by changing the previous 8-step hiring process to a 5-step process. This change will accelerate the time-to-hire for these critical positions by shaving more than four months off the old process. Eligible candidates must complete the following steps: submit your application through USAJobs, take the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA), and pass medical and security clearances.
Upon successful completion of the application process, you will attend mandatory training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City.
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- All applicants: Resume or CV
- I’m applying based on education: Copy of official/unofficial transcripts.
- I’m applying based on a Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI): Copy of official/unofficial transcripts and recommendation letter or endorsement certifying they have met the CTI requirements.
- I’m claiming veterans’ preference: Submit either a DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty or a document from the armed forces certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions within 120 days.
- If you are claiming 10-point preference, you must also submit a completed SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran’s Preference, and supporting documents as outlined in the SF-15.
- If you are claiming 10-point preference, you must also submit a completed SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran’s Preference, and supporting documents as outlined in the SF-15.
- Apply to the vacancy announcement on USAJobs
- Use the ATC Application Checklist to guide you.
- View the Air Traffic Control: Application Resources videos to help you build your resume and navigate the application process.
Qualified candidates will receive an email from PearsonVUE with instructions on taking the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA). Air Traffic Control is an aptitude-based profession and the ATSA is a computer-based test that predicts your aptitude to be an air traffic controller.
The ATSA is free of charge. You will have 3.5 hours to complete the test in-person at any PearsonVUE testing center (more than 5,000 locations). The longer you wait to schedule, the harder it may be to get a spot at your preferred location.
Candidates will receive a score in one of three categories: Failed, Qualified, Well-Qualified. The FAA only selects candidates from the Well-Qualified category. Within a week of taking the ATSA, Well-Qualified candidates will be notified about next steps.
Medical and security clearance includes:
- Drug testing
- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - MMPI2 (psychological evaluation)
- Medical Exam/Physical*
- Fingerprinting
- Federal background check
*Some physical impairments/medical conditions are disqualifying because there are medical and/or management reasons to conclude that an individual with such impairment/condition cannot perform the duties of the position without unacceptable risk to his or her own health, or to the health or safety of others (employees or the public). See specific requirements in FAA Order 3930.3C. For more information on medical requirements and a list of common disqualifying conditions please visit our ATC medical qualifications page.
Training, Hours, Pay, and Benefits
Entry-level applicants must complete required training courses and spend several months at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. After graduating the academy, individuals are placed in locations across the country and must gain 1-3 years on-the-job experience before becoming a certified professional controller. Controllers work full-time and some work additional hours. Many of our facilities operate continuously (24/7/365), where employees work day, evening and night shifts, along with weekends and holidays.
For one of America’s most critical jobs ensuring safety of the flying public, we’re raising starting salaries by nearly 30% (from $17.61/hr to $22.61/hr) during paid Academy training. You will also receive health benefits, food and housing allowances while at the Academy. Pay continues to increase as you gain more experience and earn professional certifications. Within three years of graduating the Academy, the average certified professional controller earns over $160,000 per year.
As a federal employee, air traffic controllers receive a robust benefits package - with a variety of insurance, retirement, leave, and flexible spending options for employees and their families. In addition, air traffic controllers are afforded some unique benefits like an early retirement age and special retirement annuity calculation.
- Unlike traditional federal employees that need 30 years of service to retire, air traffic controllers are able to retire at age 50 with at least 20 years of service or any age with at least 25 years. This means depending when you embark on your air traffic controller career you may have the time to pursue a second career.
- Retirement annuity is a guaranteed income for a person during their retirement years. Air traffic controllers receive a more generous annuity than traditional federal employees.
Learn More
Check out The Air Up There - Miracle in the Air podcast episode to hear about how keeping the skies safe is every controller's top priority.
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Still interested in an aviation career but not sure this position is right for you? Learn about more career opportunities at the FAA.
Questions? Email us at aviation.careers@faa.gov.
