by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Air Traffic Controller involves the study of Air Traffic Controller. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Air-Traffic Management And Control, Usually With Additional Training At The Faa Flight Control Center In A Cooperative Education Program. Includes Instruction In Flight Control, The Use Of Radar And Electronic Scanning Devices, Plotting Of Flights, Radio Communication, Interpretation Of Weather Conditions Affecting Flights, Flight Instrumentation Used By Pilots, And Maintenance Of Flight-Control Center Or Control-Tower Log Books. Read on to learn the important information every air traffic controller student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering air traffic controller programs.
Nationwide, air traffic controller draws strong interest, with 189 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Air Traffic Controller Schools ranking analyzes these 19 schools to determine the best overall colleges for air traffic controller students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of air traffic controller programs later in this article.
Studies in Air Traffic Controller build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations air traffic controller graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a air traffic controller program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a air traffic controller major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several air traffic controller degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 100 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 56 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 33 |
People currently working in careers related to air traffic controller tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 41.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 34.5% |
| Some college courses | 11.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in air traffic controller careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in air traffic controller can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to air traffic controller.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to air traffic controller.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialists | 1,262,439 | 12.9% |
| Air Traffic Controllers | 512,501 | 1.9% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of air traffic controller graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $54,735 |
| 4 years | $69,369 |
| 5 years | $80,156 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for air traffic controller graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers air traffic controller grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialists | $54,884 |
| Air Traffic Controllers | $46,187 |
With 19 different air traffic controller programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased air traffic controller school rankings to help you.
Students interested in air traffic controller, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General | 6,327 |
| Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew | 2,249 |
| Aviation/Airway Management and Operations | 1,786 |
| Air Transportation, Other | 315 |
| Remote Aircraft Pilot | 127 |
| Airline Flight Attendant | 47 |
| Flight Instructor | 30 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
