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There’s a hard cutoff most careers don’t have: if you’re 31 or older when you apply, you generally can’t become an air traffic controller in the United States. It’s an unusual constraint for a job that pays a median of $144,580 a year — but it exists for a reason, and it’s just one part of one of the most tightly structured hiring pipelines in the federal government.
Here’s what the path looks like, what you’ll earn along the way, and why the FAA has been aggressively recruiting new controllers.
What the Job Pays?
The median annual wage for air traffic controllers was $144,580 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That makes air traffic control one of the highest-paying careers in the transportation sector — and you don’t necessarily need a four-year college degree to qualify.
But that figure reflects the occupation as a whole, including experienced controllers. You won’t earn the median salary on day one.
The pay trajectory looks more like this:
- During FAA Academy training: Trainees currently start at about $22.61 per hour, along with applicable allowances for housing and food. The FAA pays trainees while they complete Academy training.
- After Academy graduation: Your salary changes when you report to your assigned facility and begin facility-level training. Pay depends on the position, facility and locality.
- During facility training: Your earnings can increase as you progress through the training and certification process.
- After full certification: Certified professional controllers can earn substantially more, with compensation varying considerably based on facility level, location, experience and applicable locality or premium pay.
The FAA currently says certified professional controllers can earn more than $155,000 on average within three years of graduating from the Academy, although individual salaries vary.
So the $144,580 BLS figure is useful for understanding the overall profession, but it shouldn’t be confused with a starting salary.
Why the FAA Is Actively Recruiting?
The FAA has faced an air traffic controller staffing shortage for years. That shortage has become a major workforce priority, with the agency expanding recruitment and training efforts to bring more controllers into the system.
The FAA’s current hiring initiative is designed to increase the number of qualified applicants and accelerate the pipeline from application to certification.
For prospective applicants, that creates an important opportunity: the FAA needs people, but it still has strict eligibility, testing, medical and training requirements.
In other words, the shortage doesn’t mean the FAA is lowering the bar. It means there is a strong demand for people who can meet it.
Air Traffic Controller Requirements
Before worrying about the ATSA or FAA Academy, make sure you actually meet the basic eligibility requirements.
1. Meet the age and citizenship requirements
You generally need to be a U.S. citizen and must be under 31 years old when you apply for an entry-level FAA air traffic controller position.
There are limited exceptions, particularly for certain veterans and applicants with qualifying prior air traffic control experience, so always check the specific FAA or USAJOBS announcement you’re applying under.
The age requirement is one of the biggest things prospective applicants overlook. If you’re approaching 31, waiting another year to “see if it’s something you’d like to try” could mean missing the opportunity entirely.
2. Meet the education or work-experience requirement
You don’t necessarily need a bachelor’s degree to become an FAA air traffic controller.
Depending on the hiring announcement and pathway, the FAA can accept:
- A bachelor’s degree
- One year of progressively responsible work experience
- A combination of post-secondary education and qualifying work experience
The important point is that “no college degree required” does not mean “no qualifications required.”
Your education or work history still needs to satisfy the requirements specified in the applicable FAA vacancy announcement.
3. Pass medical and security requirements
Air traffic controllers work in a safety-critical environment, so applicants must meet FAA medical standards and successfully complete the required security and background checks.
Medical eligibility can involve vision, hearing and other requirements. If you have questions about whether a particular condition or circumstance affects eligibility, the safest approach is to review the FAA’s current medical standards rather than relying on advice from career websites or social media.
How to Become an Air Traffic Controller?
Once you know you meet the basic requirements, the process generally looks like this.
1. Find and apply for an FAA controller position
FAA controller hiring announcements are posted through federal recruitment channels, including USAJOBS.
Hiring windows aren’t necessarily open continuously, so if you’re eligible, don’t assume you can apply whenever you feel ready.
This is especially important for applicants approaching the age limit.
2. Pass the ATSA aptitude test
The Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) is a computer-based aptitude test designed to evaluate cognitive abilities relevant to air traffic control.
The assessment tests skills such as:
- Multitasking
- Spatial reasoning
- Memory
- Problem-solving
- Decision-making
- Ability to process information quickly
The ATSA is not simply a test of how much you know about aviation. You don’t need to already be an experienced pilot or air traffic controller to take it.
However, you shouldn’t underestimate it either. It is specifically designed to assess abilities that matter in the job.
3. Complete FAA Academy training in Oklahoma City
If you’re selected and meet the required conditions, you’ll attend training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Entry-level controllers complete several months of Academy training, depending on their assigned career track and specialty.
Training combines classroom instruction with simulated air traffic-control scenarios designed to prepare trainees for the environment they’ll encounter at an operational facility.
And importantly, you are paid while you’re training.
4. Report to your assigned facility
Graduating from the FAA Academy doesn’t mean you’re finished.
After Academy training, you’ll report to your assigned air traffic facility and begin facility-level on-the-job training.
This is where you’ll learn the procedures, airspace, equipment and traffic patterns specific to your facility.
5. Complete facility training and become certified
Facility training can take one to three years or longer, depending on factors such as facility type, specialty, traffic complexity and individual progress.
You’ll work under supervision while gradually taking on more responsibility.
Once you’ve successfully completed the required training and evaluations, you’ll become a Certified Professional Controller (CPC).
That’s when you’re fully certified to perform the duties of the position without the same level of trainee supervision.
How Long Does It Take to Become an Air Traffic Controller?
There’s no single timeline that applies to everyone.
The initial Academy portion takes several months, followed by facility-level training that commonly takes one to three years or longer.
The total time from initial hiring to full certification therefore depends heavily on your assigned facility, specialty and individual progress.
The important distinction is this:
Getting hired is not the same thing as becoming a fully certified controller.
There are multiple stages between the two.
The Honest Part: The Training Is Demanding
This isn’t a path where showing up guarantees a career.
Candidates have to make it through the selection process, aptitude testing, medical and security requirements, Academy training and then facility-level certification.
Not everyone who enters the pipeline makes it all the way through.
That’s why it’s important to treat the career as more than a high-paying government job. Air traffic controllers work in a safety-critical environment where they have to process large amounts of information, communicate clearly and make decisions under pressure.
The training is designed to determine whether candidates can meet those demands.
What Are the Main Pathways Into Air Traffic Control?
There isn’t just one way to enter the profession.
FAA General-Public Hiring
The FAA periodically opens controller positions to applicants from the general public through federal hiring announcements.
This is the route many people think of when they hear about becoming an FAA air traffic controller.
FAA-Approved AT-CTI Programs
The FAA’s Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) involves approved colleges and universities that provide aviation-related training aligned with air traffic control.
For students already considering this career, an approved program can be worth researching before choosing a college.
However, completing an AT-CTI program does not mean you’re automatically hired by the FAA. You still have to meet the applicable requirements and successfully complete the hiring and training process.
Military Air Traffic Control Experience
People with qualifying military air traffic control experience may have specific opportunities or hiring considerations when transitioning to the FAA.
Veterans should carefully review the requirements of the specific vacancy announcement because eligibility and documentation can vary by hiring pathway.
Can You Become an Air Traffic Controller Without a Degree?
Yes.
A four-year college degree isn’t universally required for an entry-level FAA air traffic controller position.
The FAA can accept qualifying work experience or a combination of education and work experience, depending on the applicable hiring requirements.
That’s one reason this career can be particularly attractive to people who want a high-paying federal career without spending four years completing a bachelor’s degree.
But don’t interpret that as an easy alternative to college.
The job has its own selection process, aptitude testing, medical standards and intensive training requirements.
How Competitive Is Air Traffic Controller Hiring?
Meeting the minimum requirements doesn’t guarantee a job.
The FAA receives applications from people with different backgrounds, and candidates must successfully navigate multiple stages before becoming certified.
The process can include:
Application → Screening → ATSA → Medical/Security Requirements → FAA Academy → Facility Training → Certification
Each stage is an opportunity to demonstrate that you’re capable of performing the job.
That’s why preparing only for the application itself isn’t enough. If you’re serious about this career, you should understand the entire pipeline before applying.
Common Mistakes People Make
Waiting too long to apply
Given the age requirement, anyone approaching 31 should pay close attention to FAA hiring announcements.
Don’t wait until the last possible moment.
Assuming you need a bachelor’s degree
You don’t necessarily need a four-year degree, but you do need to meet the FAA’s applicable education or work-experience requirements.
Check the actual vacancy announcement rather than relying on simplified career-site summaries.
Underestimating the ATSA
The ATSA is not a general knowledge exam.
It’s designed around cognitive abilities relevant to air traffic control, so preparing for it requires understanding the type of assessment you’re going to face.
Assuming Academy graduation means you’re certified
It doesn’t.
Academy training is only one part of the process. You’ll still need to complete facility-level training and certification.
Choosing a CTI program without researching the current pathway
If you’re considering an AT-CTI program, research the current FAA requirements and participating schools before enrolling.
Don’t choose a college program simply because it advertises itself as an “air traffic control degree.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do air traffic controllers make?
The median annual wage for air traffic controllers was $144,580 in May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experienced FAA controllers can earn considerably more than that depending on facility, location, experience and applicable pay adjustments.
Is there really an age limit?
Yes. For general entry-level FAA hiring, applicants generally must be under 31 years old when they apply. Limited exceptions can apply to certain veterans and applicants with qualifying prior experience.
Do I need a college degree?
Not necessarily. Depending on the hiring announcement and pathway, qualifying applicants can meet the education/experience requirement through a bachelor’s degree, qualifying work experience, or a combination of education and experience.
How long does it take to become fully certified?
Academy training takes several months, followed by facility-level training that commonly takes one to three years or longer. The exact timeline varies by facility, specialty and individual progress.
Where does FAA air traffic controller training happen?
Entry-level FAA controllers complete their Academy training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma before moving on to facility-specific training.
What is the ATSA?
The Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) is a computer-based aptitude assessment used in the FAA hiring process. It evaluates cognitive skills relevant to air traffic control, including areas such as memory, spatial reasoning, multitasking and decision-making.
Can veterans become air traffic controllers?
Yes. Veterans with qualifying military air traffic control experience may have specific FAA hiring opportunities or considerations. The exact requirements depend on the applicable hiring announcement.
Where to Start?
If you’re under 31 and meet the basic requirements, start monitoring FAA and USAJOBS controller announcements now.
Don’t wait for the “perfect” time to apply. Hiring windows can be periodic, and the age requirement makes timing especially important for applicants approaching 31.
Before applying, verify the current requirements directly through the FAA and the specific USAJOBS announcement, because hiring requirements, pay and application windows can change.
For someone who wants a high-paying federal career, doesn’t necessarily want to spend four years earning a degree, and can handle a demanding selection and training process, air traffic control is one of the most unusual career opportunities in the U.S. job market.