America’s air traffic controller shortage is worse during government shutdown — but job candidates can make $145,000 a year

Airports across the country — from Newark and Phoenix to Denver and Los Angeles — are struggling with staffing issues. In California, Hollywood Burbank Airport They did not have air traffic controllers In her tower from 4:15pm to 10pm on Monday as she wrestles the case. About 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers were required to report to work, Despite not paying. Transport Minister Sean Duffy said air traffic staffing had been reduced by 50% in some areas since the government lockdown began last week.

The shutdown exacerbates an air traffic controller shortage that America has been grappling with for years. As of May 7, Only two of 313 airports in America met staffing goals set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This problem is riding high on heels American Airlines tragedy It happened in February, when a passenger plane collided with an army helicopter outside Reagan Washington National Airport, killing all 67 people on board.

There are a few main reasons as to why there may not be enough workers on call: from expensive and time-consuming training, to high levels of training. But for those who have persevered in this area, there are many breaks. When the checks roll, air traffic controllers make approximately $145,000 per year, and the workforce in the job market is growing as the travel industry continues to boom.

Why is there an air traffic controller shortage in the United States?

At the beginning of this year, about 91%, or 285 of 313 U.S. air traffic control facilities, Operate below Recommended staffing levels at the FAA, according to data from the union representing controllers. What’s worse: At 73 of these sites, at least a quarter of the workforce was missing. Operations in New York and Long Island were particularly pressed for staff.

Aviation safety experts have connected the understaffing among air traffic controllers with a large number of “near misses,” or planes nearly hitting each other. There was about 1,757 of these “runway incursions” in 2024when there is an incorrect presence or position of the aircraft or person on the runway. Some pointed fingers at Trump’s anti-DEI stance for exacerbating the job gap, which in theory could deter or limit the applicant pool. But this was a problem long before he took office.

Air traffic control has historically been a staff profession. Experts point to a few factors, but many claim the friction lies in the navigation process. Training for a new air traffic controller can take anywhere from 16 months, as at Reagan National Airport, to several years. When the pandemic hit, many employers stopped the training process. During that time, many older consoles also went into retirement.

Training new air traffic controllers is also neither cheap nor easy. Getting these workers geared up and prepared is very expensive, said former Department of Transportation Inspector General Mary Schiavo. And for some who make it on board, the task turns out to be more grueling than expected.

“It takes a long time to train an air traffic controller,” Schiavo said He told CNN Earlier this year. “It’s very expensive. About a third of them wash because it’s very strict.”

The functional life of an air traffic control unit is also limited. In the United States, controllers are required to retire by age 56. For this reason, the FAA wants fresh meat; They are unwilling to hire anyone over 31, until employees have 25 years on the job.

As the American workforce ages, Gen Z will have to step in as the next group of air traffic controllers. Anyone who can survive in the tough industry will earn a comfortable six-figure salary and have decent job security.

Air traffic controllers work hard but make six figures

Being an air traffic controller is no walk in the park. Workers describe long hours to fill scheduling gaps, unaddressed mental health concerns, and unpredictable shift patterns.

There is one aspect to the role: financial stability. Air traffic controllers make an average of $144,580 per year, according to 2024 report From the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But the path to a six-figure salary isn’t easy.

The assignment does not require multiple grades. The typical education level for being an air traffic controller is an associate’s degree, according to the BLS. And while having a relevant business background is not necessary, entry-level employees must spend months at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City for mandatory training. After that, another two to three years of classroom experience and experience are needed while obtaining a controller certification.

Applicants also need to establish other qualifications. To be considered an air traffic controller, candidates must be a US citizen under 31 years of age, clear both a medical test and a security investigation, pass the FAA’s air traffic controller recruitment tests, have decent English fluency, three years of “progressively responsible” work experience and/or a bachelor’s degree. The FAA says less than 10% of applicants meet these criteria and are accepted into the training program.

For those who make the cut, their career outlook is positive. The profession is expected to grow 3% between 2023 and 2033, with 2,200 new openings expected each year, according to BLS data. As Americans continue to indulge in travel, more and more aviation employees will be needed to lead the growing vacation industry.

A version of this story was originally published on Fortune.com on February 4, 2025.

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