The FAA has officially launched its initial recruitment round for air traffic controllers for the year 2025, announcing this on Thursday. While the role poses significant stress and challenges such as fatigue, it comes with a lucrative average annual salary exceeding six figures. To qualify, candidates must complete extensive training and testing and must retire by the age of 56.
The Trump Administration has proposed measures to enhance air traffic control staffing by expediting the hiring process and providing additional funding. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted that the Federal Aviation Administration is fast-tracking recruitment to shorten the hiring timeline by over four months. Individuals who enroll in the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City will see a salary increase of 30%. Currently, the average salary for air traffic controllers stands at around $160,000. The FAA has reopened its hiring portal, inviting applications until March 17.
The role of an air traffic controller is known for its high-stress nature, with over 14,000 professionals managing the safe transport of thousands of lives onboard planes daily. The growing demand for quicker hiring comes in light of increased scrutiny on air safety following a series of accidents. A tragic midair collision involving American Airlines in January underscored potential shortcomings in the U.S. air traffic system. The FAA has faced a persistent controller shortage; as reported by CNN in May 2024, the agency was approximately 3,000 controllers short, although they met their 2024 hiring target of 1,800 and aim to recruit an additional 2,000 this year.
Business Insider spoke with FAA controller Cedrick Earley to shed light on the realities of the profession. Here are nine important factors to consider before pursuing a career as an air traffic controller:
- No College Degree Required: ATC provides a promising opportunity for those seeking a high-paying job without a college degree.
- Eligibility Criteria: According to the recent job listing, prospective candidates must:
– Be a U.S. citizen.
– Communicate in clear and fluent English.
– Be under 31 years old by the application deadline.
– Have one year of full-time work experience or higher education, or a combination of both.
– Meet specific mental and physical fitness assessments. - Strict Rest Regulations: The FAA established new regulations in 2024 to reduce controller fatigue by extending the minimum rest period between shifts from nine hours to ten hours. Controllers are also entitled to 12 hours off before and after midnight shifts.
- Teamwork: Earley emphasized the collaborative environment among controllers, where mutual oversight enhances safety. “We’re all part of the same team, and we help each other catch any discrepancies before they escalate,” he stated.
- Attractive Salary but Variable Schedule: While the salary increases with seniority and comes with benefits that help maintain a good work-life balance, the work schedule can be irregular. Earley noted, “Although it pays well and allows me to support my family, my hours can be unpredictable. I do have shifts during the night and other scattered hours, so it varies.”
- Yearly Schedule Awareness: Interestingly, air traffic controllers know their full work schedule a year in advance, helping them plan both their professional and personal commitments effectively.
