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Flight Tower Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Army National Guard Units

$56K - $73K/yr

Processes, clears and transmits flight plans and flight progress messages to appropriatee agencies (FSS, ACT tower, ARTCC) which may require use of service Be equipment. Responsible for initiating ...

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How much do flight tower jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight tower in the United States is $28.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $28.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by flight tower controllers, and how do they manage high-pressure situations?

Flight tower controllers often encounter challenges such as managing multiple aircraft simultaneously, adapting to rapidly changing weather conditions, and coordinating with various teams to ensure safety and efficiency. High-pressure situations, like unexpected emergencies or heavy traffic periods, require clear communication, quick decision-making, and strict adherence to protocols. Training, teamwork, and the use of advanced technology help controllers maintain composure and make accurate judgments to keep air traffic flowing safely.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Air Traffic Controller, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Air Traffic Controller, you need strong situational awareness, quick decision-making, and a relevant qualification such as completion of an FAA-approved training program. Familiarity with radar systems, radio communication equipment, and air traffic control software is essential. Exceptional communication, multitasking, and stress management abilities make someone stand out in this demanding role. These skills are crucial for ensuring the safety and efficiency of air traffic operations in high-pressure environments.

What is the difference between Flight Tower vs Air Traffic Controller?

AspectFlight TowerAir Traffic Controller
Primary RoleManage aircraft movements on the ground and in the immediate vicinity of airportsCoordinate and direct aircraft in the airspace and at airports
Work EnvironmentAirport control towers, ground and tower operationsControl centers, airports, en-route sectors
CertificationsFAA or equivalent tower certification, radar and radio operation trainingFAA or equivalent air traffic control certification, radar and communication skills
Industry UsageUsed at airports for ground and tower controlUsed across airports, en-route, and approach sectors

Both Flight Tower personnel and Air Traffic Controllers play vital roles in aviation safety. Flight Tower staff primarily manage aircraft movements on the ground and within the airport vicinity, while Air Traffic Controllers oversee aircraft in the airspace and coordinate safe flight paths. Although their responsibilities differ, they require similar certifications and work closely to ensure safe and efficient air travel.

What are Flight Tower controllers?

Flight Tower controllers, also known as air traffic controllers, are professionals who manage aircraft movements on and around airport runways and taxiways. They are responsible for issuing takeoff and landing instructions, ensuring safe distances between planes, and coordinating ground traffic. Their work is essential to maintaining safety and efficiency in busy airport environments. Flight Tower controllers use radar, radios, and visual signals to communicate with pilots and other controllers.
More about Flight Tower jobs
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What job categories do people searching Flight Tower jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Flight Tower jobs are:
Flight Tower jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Tower job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,871 per year, or $28.3 per hour.

Air Traffic Controller - Greenville Tower - Greenville, MS.

CI Squared Aviation, Inc.

Greenville, MS • On-site

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

SUMMARY:

Responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic control duties in a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Airport 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 the complexity of the task until satisfied the incumbent can perform it independently.


REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must have a minimum of (2) years of experience as an Air Traffic Controller.
  • Individuals must have a current or previous Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate.
  • Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower.
  • The position is subject to drug and/or alcohol testing per the DOT/FAA requirements (pre-employment, random, reasonable cause/suspicion, post-accident).


ACCOUNTABILITY:

Making decisions involving:


  1. The order of departures will ensure all aircraft equitable treatment and will ensure that departing Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flights operate at the fixed altitude, andthe time designated by the center or approach control clearances.
  2. The times and direction of takeoff and any turn necessary after departure.
  3. Whether inbound aircraft is to land immediately or circle and whether distances are lengthened to control the arrival of an aircraft at a given point.
  4. The active runway and possible simultaneous use of other runways.
  5. The time and methods by which arrivals and departures can be interspersed with the least delay to traffic.
  6. When landing and departing aircraft are cleared to use the runways to assure standard separation between aircraft on the runways.
  7. The sequence of arriving traffic, before it enters the traffic pattern, to assure a safe, orderly flow of aircraft on the final approach to the landing runway.
  8. Endure that Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) separation standards are applied, as delegated by approach control or the center, in limited areas around the airport to provide initial separation between IFR arrivals and IFR departures and between successive IFR departures.
  9. The sequence of Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) traffic, and when delegated, using radar equipment to provide initial separation for arrival verse arrival and arrival verse departure IFR traffic.
  10. When Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flights through the Class D airspace can be authorized.

Determines the usability of communications frequencies and other navigational aids used to control air traffic. Monitors navigational aids and control panels, including tower radar display to determine the acceptability of its alignment and display presentation. Instructs pilots to change radio frequencies/transponder codes.


  1. When appropriate, coordinate with other controllers on the movement of both arrival and departure aircraft.
  2. When traffic conditions warrant, controllers in non-approach terminals are responsible for:
  3. Preplanning traffic sequencing and separation over an area, which may reach out to a radius of 5 miles or more.
  4. Preplanning and setting up checkpoints required to ensure the maintenance of necessary traffic separation.
  5. Maintaining a continuous mental picture and evaluation of constantly changing traffic, frequency dispersed throughout his/her area of jurisdictional responsibility.
  6. Maintaining continuous radio watch with aircraft that have previously contacted the facility.


MANAGING Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) TRAFFIC FOR AIRPORT:

  1. Studies weather reports and forecasts, obtain 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, AFSS, and the appropriate center/approach control, pilot weather reports and reports based upon personal observation of weather conditions; operate light guns, runway lights, field lighting, jet barriers, etc.
  2. Orients pilots of aircraft lost or in difficulty; determines whether a given situation may develop into an emergency; and notifies airlines operations offices, airport management offices, and airport rescue and firefighting services.
  3. Performs lower grade level duties as necessary to meet operational requirements and for proficiency maintenance.
  4. Provides On-the-job (OJT) training to others.

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