To become an air traffic controller in the US, you qualify through an FAA-approved AT-CTI degree, work experience, or a mix of both, then pass the FAA's tests, including the Air Traffic Controller Specialists Skills Assessment Battery (ATSA), a medical evaluation and a background check. You train at the FAA Academy and then complete more than 12 months of on-the-job training.
There's one rule you can't work around: you must apply before the FAA's age cutoff, and you must be a US citizen. BLS says the only exception to the age cutoff is for controllers who learned their skills in the military.
The steps and pay figures below come from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook and the FAA's careers page, read in October 2026.
Air traffic controllers in numbers
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $148,080 a year, $71.19 an hour |
| Lowest 10% and highest 10% | Under $78,420 and over $215,610 |
| Median pay, federal government | $156,250 |
| Typical entry-level education | Associate's degree |
| Jobs in 2025 | 24,000 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 2%, slower than average |
| Openings each year | About 2,100 on average |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026. The FAA says its controllers are a group of more than 14,000 people working from more than 400 locations, managing about 50,000 flights a day at peak travel times.
The three ways to qualify
| Route | What BLS says it involves |
|---|---|
| AT-CTI degree | An associate's or bachelor's degree through an FAA-approved Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program |
| Any bachelor's degree | A bachelor's degree in any field, such as transportation, business or engineering |
| Work experience | Up to 3 years of progressively responsible work experience, or specialised experience in a military or civilian air traffic control facility |
An associate's degree only qualifies you if it's from an AT-CTI program. AT-CTI schools offer 2 or 4 year degrees with courses in airspace, clearances, chart reading and federal regulations, though the curriculum isn't standardised.
How to become an air traffic controller, step by step
- Check you're a US citizen and will apply before the FAA's age cutoff.
- Qualify through an AT-CTI degree, another bachelor's degree, work experience, or a combination.
- Apply when the FAA opens hiring and pass its preemployment tests, including the ATSA.
- Pass the medical evaluation and background check.
- Complete training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. The length depends on your background.
- Start as a developmental controller at an assigned facility, supplying pilots with basic flight data and airport information.
- Finish on-the-job training, which typically lasts more than 12 months, and hold an Air Traffic Control Tower Operator Certificate or qualify under 14 CFR Part 65.
The insight: two age limits, not one
Most people know there's an age cutoff to apply. Fewer know there's one at the other end. BLS says the FAA requires controllers to retire at age 56 to prevent burnout. Combine that with more than a year of on-the-job training and you can see why the FAA wants people to start young. If you're interested, don't wait to apply.
The job also keeps testing you after you qualify. BLS says controllers must pass a physical exam each year, a job performance exam twice a year, and periodic drug screenings.
What the job is like
Most controllers work in control towers, approach control facilities or en route centers. En route centers are often in secure office buildings away from airports. BLS says most controllers work in semidark rooms so they can see the radar screens, where aircraft appear as moving points of light.
The FAA regulates hours. Controllers can't work more than 10 straight hours in a shift, including breaks, and must have 9 hours of rest before the next one. Busy airports run towers 24 hours a day, so shifts include nights, weekends and holidays. Smaller airports may have standard schedules.
Pay rises as developmental controllers complete each level of training, and the FAA says pay for fully trained controllers varies with the facility's location, the complexity of the flight paths and other factors.
Qualities that matter
- Communication: clear, concise instructions, careful listening and speaking clearly in English.
- Decision-making: for example, responding fast when a pilot asks to change altitude to avoid bad weather.
- Concentration: several conversations can happen at once in a busy tower.
- Organisation: guiding several pilots at the same time and prioritising tasks.
With extra training, controllers can also switch specialisations, for example moving from an en route center to an airport tower, so your first assignment isn't necessarily your last.
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Getting ready
BLS says controllers need quick decisions and fast, accurate arithmetic for speeds, times and distances, and must coordinate several flights at once. Watching live traffic on a flight tracker app is an easy way to get used to how busy airspace looks. For the interview and assessment stages, these tips on preparing for an interview with no experience help if you're coming straight from college.
My verdict
Air traffic control is one of the best-paid careers you can enter with an associate's degree, but the window is narrow: apply before the age cutoff, expect over a year of training after the Academy, and know you'll retire at 56. If you're decisive, focused and a US citizen, look at AT-CTI programs or the bachelor's route now and apply the moment the FAA opens hiring.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become an air traffic controller?
After qualifying and passing the FAA's tests, you train at the FAA Academy and then complete on-the-job training that typically lasts more than 12 months.
Is there an age limit to become an air traffic controller?
Yes. Candidates must apply before the FAA's age cutoff. BLS says controllers who learned their skills in the military may be eligible even if they're over it.
Do you need a degree to be an air traffic controller?
Usually, but not always. BLS says you can qualify with an AT-CTI degree, a bachelor's in any field, relevant work experience, or a combination.
How much do air traffic controllers make?
BLS reports median pay of $148,080 a year in May 2025, as of October 2026.
What is the ATSA?
The Air Traffic Controller Specialists Skills Assessment Battery, one of the FAA preemployment tests prospective controllers must pass.
When do air traffic controllers retire?
BLS says the FAA requires controllers to retire at age 56 to prevent burnout.
