Air Traffic Controllers
O*NET Code: 53-2021.00
Education Level
Zone 3 - Medium Prep
Associate degree or apprenticeship
Description
Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport, and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers, according to established procedures and policies. Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.
🗺️ Explore Your Career Path
Visualize advancement opportunities, lateral moves, and skill development roadmaps. See interactive career maps showing transition difficulty and salary progression.
💼 Also Known As
Access Control SpecialistAir Route ControllerAir Route Traffic ControllerAir Traffic Control OperatorAir Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS)Air Traffic Control Support Specialist (ATC Support Specialist)Air Traffic Controller (ATC)Air Traffic CoordinatorAir Traffic ManagerAircraft CommunicatorAirline DispatcherAirport Tower ControllerAirport Traffic ControllerAirway ControllerAirway Traffic ControllerAirways Control SpecialistAirways Operations SpecialistCenter Air Traffic Controller (Center ATC)Certified Professional Controller (CPC)Communications Officer
⚡ Skills (18)
Active Listening4/100
Speaking4/100
Critical Thinking4/100
Judgment and Decision Making4/100
Monitoring4/100
Complex Problem Solving4/100
Coordination4/100
Reading Comprehension4/100
Active Learning4/100
Time Management4/100
+ 8 more skills
📚 Knowledge (0)
💪 Abilities (0)
🔧 Technologies & Tools (20)
🔥Adobe Acrobat
Document management software
🔥Microsoft Access
Data base user interface and query software
🔥Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet software
🔥Microsoft Office software
Office suite software
🔥Microsoft Outlook
Electronic mail software
🔥Microsoft PowerPoint
Presentation software
🔥Microsoft Word
Word processing software
🔥SAP software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
0Advanced technologies and oceanic procedures ATOP
Expert system software
0Automated radar terminal systems ARTS
Expert system software
0Center TRACON automation systems CTAS
Expert system software
0Direct-to-tool software
Flight control software
0En route descent advisor EDA
Flight control software
0Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
0Expedite departure path EDP software
Flight control software
0Final approach spacing tool FAST
Flight control software
0Flight simulation software
Flight control software
0Multi-center traffic management advisor McTMA
Flight control software
0Really Simple Syndication RSS
Web page creation and editing software
0Traffic management advisor TMA software
Flight control software
🔄 Career Transition Paths
Occupations with similar skills and natural career progression opportunities
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 4 - High Prep(↑1 level)
Public Safety Telecommunicators
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep(↓1 level)
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep(↓1 level)
Avionics Technicians
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 3 - Medium Prep
Power Distributors and Dispatchers
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 3 - Medium Prep
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep(↓1 level)
First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 3 - Medium Prep
First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 3 - Medium Prep
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 4 - High Prep(↑1 level)
Commercial Pilots
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 3 - Medium Prep
📊 Skills Comparison
Air Traffic Controllers → Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Transition Difficulty: Easy (81% skill overlap)
✅ Transferable Skills (17)
Skills you already have that transfer to the new role
Operations Monitoring
Current: 3Target: 5
→
Active Listening
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Critical Thinking
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Monitoring
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Judgment and Decision Making
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Reading Comprehension
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Time Management
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Speaking
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Active Learning
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Coordination
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Complex Problem Solving
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Social Perceptiveness
Current: 3Target: 3
→
Systems Analysis
Current: 3Target: 3
→
Systems Evaluation
Current: 3Target: 3
→
Writing
Current: 3Target: 3
→