Air Traffic Controller
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to air-traffic management and control, usually with additional training at the FAA Flight Control Center in a cooperative education program. Includes instruction in flight control, the use of radar and electronic scanning devices, plotting of flights, radio communication, interpretation of weather conditions affecting flights, flight instrumentation used by pilots, and maintenance of flight-control center or control-tower log books.
- Schools offering
- 22
- Annual completions
- 153
- Typical degree level
- Associate's + Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $82k
About this major
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to air-traffic management and control, usually with additional training at the FAA Flight Control Center in a cooperative education program. Includes instruction in flight control, the use of radar and electronic scanning devices, plotting of flights, radio communication, interpretation of weather conditions affecting flights, flight instrumentation used by pilots, and maintenance of flight-control center or control-tower log books.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air traffic controllers | $145k | +1.2% | Associate's degree |
| Airfield operations specialists | $57k | +4.2% | High school diploma or equivalent |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$82k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$76k
Bachelor's
$84k
Top colleges for Air Traffic Controller
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL | 25 | 0 | 25 |
| University of North Dakota | Grand Forks, ND | 0 | 21 | 21 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 0 | 20 | 20 |
| Mt San Antonio College | Walnut, CA | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| Community College of Beaver County | Monaca, PA | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Tulsa Community College | Tulsa, OK | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| Aims Community College | Greeley, CO | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Middle Georgia State University | Macon, GA | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | 0 | 5 | 5 |
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