To become an FAA air traffic controller you generally must be a U.S. citizen, be under 31 when you're hired (with exceptions for some applicants with prior air traffic control experience), pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exam, meet medical and security requirements, and complete paid training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. You then train on the job at your assigned facility until you're fully certified.
Step by step
- Check the basic requirements. U.S. citizenship, the age limit, English clear enough to be understood over the radio, and one of the education or work-experience options listed in the job posting.
- Apply when the FAA opens hiring. Public openings are posted on USAJOBS for a limited time, so watch for them and apply before the window closes.
- Take the ATSA. A computer-based aptitude test of skills like memory, spatial reasoning and multitasking. Only well-qualified scores move forward.
- Pass the medical and security checks. A medical exam, psychological screening and a background investigation for a security clearance.
- Train at the FAA Academy. Paid classroom and simulator training in Oklahoma City for tower or en route work.
- Certify at your facility. On-the-job training with an instructor, position by position. It often takes one to three years, depending on the facility.
Pay
In its 2025 hiring announcement, the FAA listed Academy trainee pay of about $47,800 a year and said certified professional controllers averaged about $158,000 a year. Pay varies a lot by facility and location, so check the current posting.
Other ways in
Military air traffic controllers can move into FAA jobs, often with credit for their experience. Some colleges offer air traffic programs, and some smaller towers are run by private companies under the FAA's Contract Tower Program, which hire certified controllers.
What the job is like
Controllers work rotating shifts around the clock, including nights, weekends and holidays, because the sky never closes. The work takes intense focus and strong teamwork, and most controllers describe it as deeply rewarding. By federal law, most controllers must retire at 56.
For official requirements and current openings, see FAA Jobs and USAJOBS.
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Common questions
What is the age limit to become an air traffic controller?
The FAA's maximum entry age is 30, so you must be hired before your 31st birthday. Some applicants with prior air traffic control experience, such as military controllers, may qualify for an exception.
Do you need a college degree to be an air traffic controller?
Not always. FAA job postings list several ways to qualify, including a bachelor's degree, work experience, or a combination. Check the specific posting.
How long does it take to become a fully certified controller?
After the FAA Academy, on-the-job training often takes one to three years, depending on how busy and complex the facility is.
Where is the FAA Academy?
At the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
How much do air traffic controllers make?
According to the FAA's 2025 hiring announcement, certified professional controllers averaged about $158,000 a year. Pay depends on the facility and location.