Occupation information for

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.

Currently Employed: 332

Yearly Projected Openings: 10

Typical Hourly Wage: $59.81 - $80+

Typical Annual Salary: $124,400 - $166,400+

• Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
• Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
• Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.
• Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
• Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
• Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
• Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.
• Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
• Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance or baggage vehicles, or airport workers.
• Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes.

• Aircraft communication systems
• Aircraft flight simulators or trainers
• Aircraft guidance systems
• Aircraft navigation beacons
• Radarbased surveillance systems

• Expert system software
• Flight control software