Table of Contents
When can air traffic controllers retire?
age 56
Air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must retire by age 56—six years before reaching age 62, the age at which people can qualify for old-age insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act.
How long is the FAA ATC Academy?
It is 19 days and is conducted via a web-based conferencing platform. Who pays for Basics for ATC training? The FAA pays for the Basics course. There is no cost to the student.
What state pays the most for air traffic controllers?
Geographic profile for Air Traffic Controllers:
| State | Employment (1) | Hourly mean wage |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 2,080 | $ 57.12 |
| California | 2,060 | $ 67.89 |
| Texas | 1,870 | $ 67.49 |
| Virginia | 1,090 | $ 73.29 |
Why do air traffic controllers make so much money?
Air traffic controllers get paid six-figure salaries because the nature of their work is stressful, exhausting, and leaves no room for error. While there are various routes to become one, air traffic controllers have to undergo lots of training as the safety of the aircrew and passengers is on the line.
How much does an air traffic controller make a year?
The national average annual wage of an air traffic controller is $120,830, according to the BLS, well over double the e average annual salary for all occupations, $51,960. However, depending on which state you’re employed as an air traffic controller, your salary could be far lower.
What does an air traffic controller do?
An air traffic controller directs traffic in the air and on the ground. The air traffic controller alerts pilots as to obstructions that might be in their path, such as other aircraft and bad weather. The air traffic controller may sometimes have to reroute airborne aircraft when adverse weather conditions are present.
Should air traffic controllers represent more than one airline?
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications. Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry. It would be grossly unfair for air traffic controllers to represent one airline and profit from allowing that company’s planes to go through before others.
What kind of Education do air traffic controllers need?
Most of your education comes from long-term, on-the-job training. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, although the employment of air traffic controllers is projected to increase by only 1%, with a median hourly wage of $59.87, air traffic controllers earn significantly more than the national average.