Get Your Degree!

Get information on programs from our featured schools.

Related Areas of Study

Air Traffic Controller Job Duties

Air traffic controllers are responsible for the safety and routing of planes by using a variety of equipment, such as radars and computers. Individuals are responsible for using radars to track movement, authorize takeoffs and landings, as well as course changes. Air traffic controllers must be attentive and competent, as they are responsible for accident prevention and safety.  The primary responsibility of an air traffic controller is safety followed by the efficient flow of transportation vehicles and people across the entire airport system.  The typical job duties of an air traffic controller include the following:

  • Providing information to pilots and crew
  • Issuing landing and take-off clearances
  • Scheduling arrival and departures at a designated airport
  • Providing flight path alternatives and directives
  • Communicating weather changes to pilots and crew members
  • Transfer information to emergency response teams, as needed
  • Controlling flow of planes, airport personnel, and baggage vehicles

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$118,200

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

68.64%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

23,240

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Air Traffic Controller School

LeTourneau University offers a variety of educational opportunities so that students can choose courses that suit their academic and professional needs. Its areas of study include psychology, engineering, education, business, aeronautics, nursing, and more.  The university also developed a program in aeronautics focusing on air traffic control with the aim to help students have the essential knowledge and technical skills needed in the field. After completing the course requirements, students can obtain an associate degree or certificate of completion. Throughout the program, students will learn to evaluate weather, plan flights, operate flights, and more. 

Acceptance Rate

44.51

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Lewis University is located in Romeoville, Illinois, and provides a variety of academic and research programs in different fields for more than 6,000 students every year. It is a private institution that aims to develop the skills of students to become competent professionals in the rapidly changing world.  One of the university’s undergraduate degrees in air traffic control wherein students will learn how to minimize flight delays, keep passengers safe, instruct pilots where and when to depart and land, and more. Through its laboratory simulations, classroom instructions and hands-on learning, the university allows students to become highly-skilled and prepared for a career in the industry. In addition, students who are eligible for financial aid are allowed to get a discount. 

Acceptance Rate

63.9

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona is widely recognized for its diverse programs in aviation, international relations, engineering, and flight crew. Its 539-acre student-centric campus accommodates thousands of students each year.   The university offers an excellent program in Air Traffic Management wherein students can get a bachelor’s degree upon completing the 120 credit hours. It has a broad curriculum that covers courses in pilot operations, English compositions, geographic information systems, aerodynamics, principles of management, survey of meteorology, aircraft performance, and more. Graduates of this program can certainly use their training, skills, and knowledge to seek a rewarding career in the industry. 

Acceptance Rate

65.7

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Hampton University was established after the American Civil War and is one of the oldest educational institutions in the United States. Today, it is recognized for providing outstanding programs focusing on health, psychology, business, journalism, engineering, finance, aeronautics, and more.  With the help of the university’s school of engineering and technology and the aviation department, it offers a program that expands the knowledge of students in aviation management and air traffic control. Students of the program will learn from skilled faculty and instructors about the safe flow of air traffic. Throughout the program, students will not just learn but also improve their credibility, acceptance, and integrity while being ready for a successful career in the aviation field. 

Acceptance Rate

36

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University also has another campus located in Daytona Beach, Florida where students are allowed to reside on its 185 acres campus. It houses more than 7,000 students each year who are taking various majors in the aviation industry.  Air Traffic Controllers are a vital resource in the aviation industry which is the purpose why Embry Riddle Aeronautical University offers a program that focuses on the field. Students of this program will learn about the various air traffic control training through realistic laboratory simulations, computer-based learning, and classroom instructions. The students are taught by faculty who are experienced and well knowledgeable in the field.

Acceptance Rate

60.94

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

The University of North Dakota serves more than 14,000 students every year on a 300-acre campus in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It includes graduate, certificate, and undergraduate programs focusing on liberal arts, health, general studies, aeronautics, nursing, and engineering among others.  Its air traffic management major allows students to gain technical skills and broad knowledge in the aviation industry to prepare them for an exciting career in the field. The program can be completed in four years wherein students can earn a bachelor’s degree. Students will receive advanced training and on-board guidance to help them grow into competent and outstanding employees in the aviation industry. 

Acceptance Rate

81.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Florida Institute of Technology has been serving more than 9,000 students from the local community of Melbourne, Florida, and its surrounding areas. It is focused on providing degree programs in transportation, health, business, computer, aviation, and more.  The university’s College of Aeronautics has developed collegiate training initiative programs focusing on air traffic control. Students of the programs will obtain skills and knowledge to pursue a wide range of career opportunities in the aviation industry. Students will also learn about flight operations, air traffic control, flight dispatch, aircraft dispatch, and more, and after completing the required semester hours, students can obtain an associate degree or certificates.

Acceptance Rate

65.75

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

The University of Alaska Anchorage has been serving the local communities of Alaska since 1954. It is known for having specialized degree programs in arts, humanities, aviation, technology, business, and engineering among others.  Through its six colleges, the university offers excellent and nationally-recognized programs that helps students achieve their educational and professional goals, and one of them is the undergraduate degree in air traffic control. Students of the program will learn to operate towers and control air traffic, providing a safe flight to all the aircraft passengers. 

Acceptance Rate

82.96

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Hesston College is dedicated to providing a solid education and training for students who live around Hesston. It also offers various student resources including counseling, access in libraries and laboratories, internships, and more.  Through the aviation department, the college also provides a program in the area of air traffic control where students can gain an associate degree, license, and a certificate in the field. Students are trained through the college’s refined curriculum, training methods, and program. In addition, the students will be taught by several instructors who have years of experience in air traffic control that will provide them with skills and knowledge needed for a rewarding career.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Green River Community College provides educational programs and extra-curricular activities for its students living around Auburn, Washington. Most of its programs can be completed within two years wherein students can earn an associate degree in various fields of study.  Students who are taking the air traffic control program of the college will learn about the flight simulation basics, aviation weather, humanities, airline operations, airline dispatch, and more. The curriculum has a total of 93 credit hours that can be accessed through online or in-person classes. Students can also participate in individual career advising, training, scholarship, and other student activities offered by the college.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Located in Moorpark, California, Mt. San Antonio College is known for being one of the largest community colleges in the state. It has developed more than 200 undergraduate and certificate programs for its thousands of students since 1945.  The college’s air traffic control degree program provides excellent training and classroom instructions that guides students as they explore the aviation field. Through the two-year program, students will learn how to operate, manage, and maintain a safe aircraft landing, dispatch, and more. The program also includes various opportunities for students who gain real-life skills through the laboratory and outside of the campus learning activities of the program.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

24:1

Palo Alto College has been serving the students around Houston, Texas since 1985. It aims to educate and train students through a dynamic learning environment that promotes community engagement and personal growth.  One of its programs is the air traffic control that is designed to prepare students to enter the aviation industry and become skilled in the field. Students will study for two years about aviation safety, aerodynamics, aviation meteorology, mathematics, air traffic control, and more. Upon completing all the requirements needed to graduate, students will receive a certification, license, and an associate degree.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

27:1

Community College of Beaver County serves more than 45,000 students each year that helps with the economic growth of the society while also promoting a positive community engagement. It is located in Monaca, Pennsylvania, and offers various degree programs in different majors and minors including business, engineering, nursing, aeronautics, technology, and more.  Individuals who aspire to become air traffic specialists can enroll in the college’s undergraduate program focusing on air traffic control. The program will provide students with real-life air traffic experience while being trained by expert instructors in the field. After graduating from the program, students may work for military services, private industry, federal government, and more. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Aims Community College is recognized as one of the best vocational schools in the state of Colorado. It offers certificates and associate degrees for students in several fields including construction, design, computer science, aviation, allied health, medical assisting, and automotive.  The college also helps students to become air traffic specialists through its air traffic controller program. Students will go through flexible classes that can be accessed through online and advanced training that are guided by excellent instructors in the field. The college also requires student applicants to be no more than 30 years old, and upon completing all the program curriculum, students will gain an associate degree in the air traffic control industry. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Salt Lake Community College is committed to providing lifelong learning through its higher educational programs in technology, business, engineering, education, allied health, and more. It serves thousands of students from Salt Lake City in Utah and its surrounding areas.  Through its aviation technology department, the college has developed a program concentrating in air traffic control and management. Students of this program are required to complete the 64 credit hours before obtaining an associate degree in the field. For more than 20 years, the college is also known for being a provider of competitive, skilled, and professional employees in the aviation field.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Located in Los Angeles, California, Sacramento City College provides vocational training programs that helps students achieve their academic and career needs. It houses thousands of students yearly in a supportive and welcoming campus environment that is filled with supportive faculty members and staff.  One of the college’s major degrees is designed to provide students with courses in the aviation industry including air traffic control and operations. Students of the program will receive training opportunities outside the classroom and in real-life working environments such as airports. In addition to becoming air traffic controllers, students may also become aircraft dispatchers and flight technologists.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

25:1

Established in 1967, Schenectady County Community College aims to provide excellent vocational learning and training opportunities for the people of New York and beyond. It offers several facilities that help with the academic growth of the students including auditorium, student center, libraries, laboratories, and more.  The air traffic control degree program of the college has a mission to provide students with a strong foundation in the air traffic control, operation, and management that will prepare them for an exciting entry-level career in the field. During the program, students will learn how to effectively handle emergency situations through actual live aircraft traffic or simulated scenarios. Before getting an associate degree, students must also go through written exams and pass the air traffic aptitude test

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Sinclair Community College offers a wide range of vocational, certificate, and professional programs for the people of Dayton, Ohio. It houses more than 3,000 students, faculty, and staff each year on its 300-acre campus area.  It is known for having a reputation of providing outstanding student-centered education with one of its programs focusing on Air Traffic Control wherein students can earn a certificate of completion. Students will learn to demonstrate air travel knowledge as well as plan flight schedules, dispatch aircrafts, and practice a high standard of professional behavior. Students will also learn about airline operations, aircraft performance, aviation leadership, and more.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Atlantic Cape Community College is known for serving the local community of New Jersey through its academic and training programs since 1946. Its mission is to provide relevant education through its up-to-date facilities and services.  The Air Traffic Control Terminal program is designed to give students the opportunity to learn the techniques and concepts of professional air traffic control and operations. It includes coursework, extensive simulations, hands-on learning, and training that develops the skills of students in problem solving, listening, writing, and reading. After completing the program requirements, students are encouraged to seek more knowledge in an advanced training for air traffic control.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Tulsa Community College has been providing vocational training and education for the communities of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Its campus can accommodate more than 200 students each year who are taking various courses and certificate programs in technology, allied health, automotive, aviation, and more.  The college’s air traffic control program develops the students to become skilled air traffic specialists who are capable of working in the challenging aviation industry. Students of this program are able to broaden their knowledge in airline operations, aircraft technology, weather, aerodynamics, and many more. Once the students complete the program, they are postured for an entry-level job at an airline, airport, or continue studying in universities.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Cecil College in Maryland has a purpose to help students to achieve their academic goals while also providing a transformative experience that they can use for a rewarding career in the professional field. It offers various courses in technology, business, allied health, aviation, communication, and visual arts.  It has an outstanding program that concentrates in air traffic control that provides students with various training and courses that are relevant to today’s industry. The program also allows students to participate in activities and other training outside of the classroom. In addition, students will also be taught by several faculty who have years of working experience as air traffic controllers or specialists. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Mountain View College is committed to serving thousands of students each year to help them achieve their goals and careers in the rapidly changing industry. It has a campus in Dallas that allows students to experience a fun learning environment and while becoming engaged in the local community.  The college offers its students an aviation program focusing on professional pilot, airport management, and aircraft dispatcher. Students who are enrolled in the program train about flight operations and management while also gaining knowledge hands-on classroom lessons. Upon completion, students will receive a certificate or an associate degree that are useful when applying for an entry-level position in the field.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

27:1

Founded in 1914, Minneapolis Community and Technical College aims to provide the individuals living in the local community of Minneapolis with excellent academic and training programs. Business, accounting, sociology, technology, aviation, criminal justice, and communication studies are some of the programs of the college.  Its air traffic control program serves aspiring air traffic specialists through its state-of-the-art facilities, classroom, and laboratories. The program was developed by the aviation technology department with the aim to prepare students for a challenging and competitive aviation industry. Graduates of this program will have an opportunity to be employed in various airlines throughout the state.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

23:1

Located in the town of Barrow, Oklahoma, the Community College of Baltimore County is recognized for its undergraduate and certificate programs. The college is proud to be a provider of excellent individuals who contributes to the development of the community, the nation, and the world.  One of its nationally recognized programs is the air traffic control wherein students can become specialists in flight service stations or air traffic. The program aims to help students secure employment in the aviation industry as well as learn how to regulate and coordinate the flow of air traffic, interpret flight plans, communicate with pilots, and speak clearly using the industry standard. Students will get an associate degree in applied science upon completing the 2-year program curriculum.

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Airport & Air Traffic Control

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is to governing agency that oversees all air traffic. Much like state boundaries on the terra firms, the FAA has divided up the airspace in the United States into twenty-one different regions or centers. Each designated center is further divided into sectors and zones known as Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) airspaces.

The air traffic control system divisions that are managed by the FAA include five main entities that include the following:

  • Flight Service Station - The FSS provides pilots with critical flight information such as weather changes, flight plans, and terrain as they fly to and from small airports. FSS team-members are responsible for helping to coordinate search and rescue missions and assisting pilots with urgent and emergencies.
  • TRACON - Terminal Radar Approach Control is the division assisting with all incoming and outgoing aircraft within its designated airspace.
  • Air Traffic Control Tower - An air traffic control tower or ATCT is located at every airport with scheduled flights and helps with traffic navigation, takeoffs, and landings of all aircraft.
  • Air Route Traffic Control Center - The FAA assigns one air route traffic control center per center to manage air traffic within all applicable sectors with the exception of local airport airspace and TRACON designated airspace.
  • Air Traffic Control System Command Center - The ATCS Command Center manages all air traffic and resolves center-based problems such as weather changes, conflicting priorities, runway issues, etc.

Types of Air Traffic Controllers

There are three different types of air traffic controllers in a typical airport setting. The roles are broken down by tower duties, traveling, and air space controllers. A brief overview of each type of air traffic controller is listed below to help you more effectively select college degree programs that fit you best.

Air Space: An arrival and departure air traffic controller will be charged with the responsibility of all aircraft within an airport's air space. They will dictate aircraft flow, separation, weather notices, and clearance for aircraft vehicles. An arrival and departure air traffic controller uses radar technology to manage flight information and generally work at an airport's TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control Center).

Tower Controllers: An air traffic controller that works in an airport tower on-site, is responsible for the flow of aircraft, vehicles, and people at a specific airport. As the name indicates, they work from control towers as they need to visually observe traffic flow in conjunction with specific communication devices and airport instrumentation. A tower controller will provide pilots and crew with flight plans, weather updates, provide clearance, and direct movement of vehicles for an specific airline carrier.

External Controllers: An external air traffic controller is a specialist that works to manage the aircraft traveling to and from airports not within a defined airport's air space. External air traffic controllers will typically work at route traffic control centers across the country which is a centralized hub versus being on-site at a specific airport.

Best Air Traffic Control Schools

Individuals wishing to become air traffic controllers must be American citizens and receive a degree in the field from a school that has been accredited by the Federal Aviation Administration. Individuals may receive an associate's or bachelor's degree, or may substitute some, most, or all of that education through previous education through the armed services. Once completed, individuals will need to pass an FAA exam in order to be eligible for employment.

A curriculum may include:

  • Aviation Technology
  • Energy and Propulsion
  • Air Traffic Control Systems
  • Transportation & Legislation
  • Aviation Regulations
  • Aviation Operations and Management
  • Air Traffic Control 
  • Dispatching
  • Aircraft Accident Investigation
  • Transportation Safety Management Systems
  • Aeronautics 
  • Airport Management
  • Radar Fundamentals
  • Aircraft Characteristics
  • Control Tower Operations

Individuals will look for schools that have access to equipment that best represent or emulate real world situations in order to become familiar with operations. It is important to note that individuals need to graduate from an FAA accredited school, as non-accredited school educations will be ineligible for the exam required to find employment.  Additional information regarding accreditation and examination, as well as general information regarding air traffic control regulations may be found at the Federal Aviation Administration website.  For more information on how to become an air traffic controller, simply request information from any number of accredited schools found through our portal.

Schools Other Students Requested Information From:

Employment Information in Air Traffic Control

Air traffic control is not expected to see increases in job growth over the next decade due to extensive hires over the last decade. Most job opening are expected to result from the retiring of current air traffic controllers. Individuals in this field work at airports and airstrips, and can be found in both civilian and military locations. The field requires individuals to be knowledgeable about planes, their capabilities, and how to guide them from a distance.

An air traffic controller salary will vary by job scope and geographic location from coast to coast.  That being said, the BLS publishes annual salary information that puts the median air traffic controller income at $124,540 or $59.78 per hour.  The average salary for an air traffic controlled is well above the national average and is estimated to remain stable over the coming decade.

Additional Information for Air Traffic Controllers

The Air Traffic Control Association is a professional organization established in 1956 to protect and advance the interests of professionals in this field, including member discounts, scholarships, events, networking opportunities, and a robust career center on their website.

Featured Rankings

Find Your College Match

Sort By
PHP Code Snippets Powered By : XYZScripts.com