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How much do air traffic control operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for air traffic control operations in the United States is $19.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $22.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Air Traffic Control Operations?

Air Traffic Control Operations involve managing the safe and orderly flow of aircraft both in the air and on the ground at airports. Air traffic controllers communicate with pilots, provide instructions for takeoff and landing, monitor aircraft positions using radar, and coordinate movements to prevent collisions. Their work is crucial to ensuring safety, minimizing delays, and handling emergency situations. Controllers work in control towers, approach control facilities, or en route centers, depending on the phase of flight they manage.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Air Traffic Control Operations?

To thrive in Air Traffic Control Operations, you need strong situational awareness, decision-making abilities, and typically an FAA Air Traffic Control certification or equivalent qualification. Familiarity with radar systems, communication equipment, and flight tracking software is essential. Exceptional communication, stress management, and teamwork skills help professionals excel in high-pressure environments. These competencies are crucial to ensure the safe, efficient, and orderly flow of air traffic.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Air Traffic Control Operations, and how can they be managed?

One of the primary challenges in Air Traffic Control Operations is managing high levels of stress, especially during peak traffic periods or adverse weather conditions. Controllers must maintain focus and make quick, accurate decisions to ensure the safety and efficiency of aircraft movements. Effective communication and teamwork with pilots and other controllers are essential to handle these pressures. Many organizations provide ongoing training and support systems to help staff cope with job-related stress and maintain optimal performance.

What is the difference between Air Traffic Control Operations vs Air Traffic Control Specialist?

AspectAir Traffic Control OperationsAir Traffic Control Specialist
CertificationsFAA Air Traffic Control Tower or Center CertificationFAA Air Traffic Control Tower or Center Certification
Work EnvironmentControl towers, en-route centers, airportsControl towers, en-route centers, airports
Employer & IndustryFAA, airports, militaryFAA, airports, military
Job FocusManaging aircraft movements, ensuring safetyMonitoring and directing aircraft traffic, safety procedures

Both roles involve managing aircraft movements and require FAA certifications. Air Traffic Control Operations generally refers to the broader activities involved in controlling air traffic, while Air Traffic Control Specialist is a specific job title for professionals performing these duties. They work in similar environments and industries, with overlapping responsibilities focused on safety and traffic management.

How do I become an air traffic control operations?

To become an air traffic control operations specialist, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, pass a series of FAA written and medical exams, and complete specialized training at an FAA academy. Strong communication, decision-making skills, and the ability to work under pressure are essential, along with meeting age and background requirements.

Is it hard to get an air traffic control operations job?

Getting an air traffic control operations job is competitive and requires passing rigorous assessments, including written exams, medical evaluations, and background checks. Candidates typically need specialized training and certification, and the hiring process can be lengthy due to the high standards and limited openings.
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What job categories do people searching Air Traffic Control Operations jobs look for?

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Air Traffic Control Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Air Traffic Control Operations job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,463 per year, or $19.5 per hour.

Air Traffic Control Specialist

Robinson Aviation

Fullerton, CA • On-site

$43.18/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description


Summary
Responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic control duties in a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Air Traffic Control Tower.

Dimensions of Position
Works under the general supervision of the Tower Manager who relies on the incumbent to perform established duties independently. On new or revised procedures, the manager gives detailed instructions and observes, and checks work during or immediately after completion according to complexity of the task or until satisfied the incumbent can perform it independently.

Accountability

1. Makes decisions involving:

  • The order of departures that will assure all aircraft equitable treatment and will assure that departing IFR flights operate at the fix, altitude, and the time designated by the center or approach control clearances.
  • The times and direction of takeoff and any turns necessary for departure.
  • Whether inbound aircraft are to land immediately or circle and whether distances are lengthened to control the arrival of an aircraft at a given point.
  • The active runway and possible simultaneous use of other runways.
  • The time and methods by which arrivals and departures can be interspersed with the least delay to traffic.
  • When landing and departing aircraft are cleared to use the runways to assure standard separation between aircraft on the runways.
  • The sequence of arriving traffic, before it enters the traffic pattern, to assure a safe, orderly flow of aircraft on final approach to the landing runway.
  • That IFR separation standards are applied, as delegated by approach control of the center, in limited areas around the airport to provide initial separation between

IFR arrivals and IFR departures and between successive IFR departures.

  • The sequence of VFR and IFR traffic, using radar equipment as an aid and, when delegated, separating IFR traffic.
  • When VFR flights through the airport traffic area can be authorized.

2. Determines the usability of communications frequencies available to him/her as other navigational aids used to control air traffic. Monitors navigational aids and monitors control panels, including BRITE display to determine acceptability of its alignment and display presentation. Instructs pilots to change radio frequencies/radar beacon codes.

3. When appropriate, coordinates with the other controllers on movements of both arrival and departure aircraft.

4. When traffic conditions warrant, controllers in non-approach terminals are responsible for:

  • Preplanning traffic sequencing and separation over an area which may reach out to a radius of 5 miles or more.
  • Preplanning and setting up check points required to ensure the maintenance of necessary traffic separation.
  • Maintaining a continuous mental picture and evaluation of a constantly changing traffic complex frequency dispersed over an equivalent geographic area.
  • Maintaining continuous radio watch with aircraft which have previously contacted the facility.
  • Accepting responsibility to handle IFR traffic at his/her airport.

5. Studies weather bureau reports and forecasts, obtains LAWRS/SAWRS weather certification, observes weather from the tower and records pilot reports to determine the effect of present and anticipated weather on traffic; furnishes aircraft with information such as field conditions, altimeter settings, weather conditions, operating status of navigational aids, and observed malfunctioning of aircraft, forwards to the weather bureau and the appropriate center, pilot weather reports and reports based upon personal observation of weather conditions; operates light guns, runway lights, field lighting, jet barriers etc.

6. Orients pilots of aircraft lost or in difficulty; determines whether a given situation may operations offices, airport management offices, and fire and ambulance services.

7. Performs lower grade level duties as necessary to meet operational requirements and for proficiency maintenance.

8. Provides OJT training to others.

Requirements

Individual must have a CTO Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate. Position is subject to drug and/or alcohol testing per the DOT/FAA requirements (pre-employment, random, reasonable cause/suspicion, post-accident). Individual must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating or have held an FAA Credential with a tower rating, for a minimum of six months in an Air Traffic Control Tower.


Pay: $43.18 Per hour

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