DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
53-2021 Air Traffic Controllers
Occupational Description:
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.| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Minnesota | 580 | 0 | $64.94/hr | $1.36/hr | $34.93/hr | $53.32/hr | $69.50/hr | $79.06/hr | $85.32/hr |
| U S | 22,090 | 133 | $59.07/hr | $0.47/hr | $33.60/hr | $42.18/hr | $60.47/hr | $74.41/hr | $86.70/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change 2023 - 2025 | |
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | 1,170 | $34.02/hr | 4.6% |
| Locomotive Engineers | 840 | $34.11/hr | 4.9% |
| Transportation Inspectors | 510 | $38.89/hr | 2.2% |
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | 60 | $23.43/hr | -1.2% |
| Traffic Technicians | 30 | $32.14/hr | N/A |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | N/A | $38.80/hr | 4.6% |
Tasks for Air Traffic Controllers
- Communicates with, relays flight plans to, and coordinates movement of air traffic between control centers.
- Issues landing and take-off authorizations and instructions, and communicates other information to aircraft.
- Recommends flight path changes to planes traveling in storms or fog or in emergency situations.
- Transfers control of departing flights to traffic control center and accepts control of arriving flights from air traffic control center.
- Directs radio searches for aircraft, and alerts control centers emergency facilities of flight difficulties.
- Completes daily activity report and keeps record of messages from aircraft.
- Reviews records and reports for clarity and completeness and maintains records and reports.
- Inspects, adjusts, and controls radio equipment and airport lights.
- Analyzes factors, such as weather reports, fuel requirements, and maps to determine flights and air routes.
- Relays air traffic information, such as altitude, expected time of arrival, and course of aircraft to control centers.
- Controls air traffic at and within vicinity of airport.
- Determines timing of and procedure for flight vector changes in sector.
