Air Traffic Controllers
SOC: 53-2021.00 · Job Zone 3 (Medium preparation)
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.
AI Impact Summary
Air Traffic Controllers faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 45/100. Significant displacement is estimated between 2038 and 2046. Of 23 analyzed tasks, 11 are highly automatable, particularly in routine_cognitive. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$144,580
per year
Mean Wage
$142,740
per year
Employment
22K
workers
Wage Range
$76,090 - $210,410
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 26.1%
Skill Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (7)
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (5)
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Air Traffic Controllers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Instructing
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Persuasion
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Task Breakdown
23 tasks analyzed
Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.
Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.
Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance or baggage vehicles, or airport workers.
Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information.
Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement.
Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes.
Initiate or coordinate searches for missing aircraft.
Provide on-the-job training to new air traffic controllers.
Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots' requests for altitude changes.
Relay air traffic information, such as courses, altitudes, or expected arrival times, to control centers.
Inspect, adjust, or control radio equipment or airport lights.
Compile information about flights from flight plans, pilot reports, radar, or observations.
Organize flight plans or traffic management plans to prepare for planes about to enter assigned airspace.
Conduct pre-flight briefings on weather conditions, suggested routes, altitudes, indications of turbulence, or other flight safety information.
Analyze factors such as weather reports, fuel requirements, or maps to determine air routes.
Review records or reports for clarity and completeness and maintain records or reports as required under federal law.
Complete daily activity reports and keep records of messages from aircraft.
| Task | Category | AI Capability | Risk Score | Time % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems. | Routine Cognitive | 55 | 71.2 | 8% |
| Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions. | Routine Cognitive | 50 | 69.2 | 8% |
| Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights. | Routine Cognitive | 65 | 75.2 | 5% |
| Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations. | Non-Routine Analytical | 30 | 39.0 | 3% |
| Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties. | Routine Cognitive | 65 | 75.2 | 2% |
| Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety. | Non-Routine Analytical | 40 | 43.0 | 11% |
| Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land. | Non-Routine Analytical | 35 | 41.0 | 8% |
| Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references. | Routine Cognitive | 80 | 81.2 | 11% |
| Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance or baggage vehicles, or airport workers. | Routine Cognitive | 55 | 71.2 | 4% |
| Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information. | Routine Cognitive | 70 | 77.2 | 4% |
| Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement. | Routine Cognitive | 65 | 75.2 | 5% |
| Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes. | Non-Routine Analytical | 35 | 41.0 | 5% |
| Initiate or coordinate searches for missing aircraft. | Non-Routine Analytical | 45 | 45.0 | 2% |
| Provide on-the-job training to new air traffic controllers. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 15 | 21.0 | 2% |
| Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots' requests for altitude changes. | Non-Routine Analytical | 45 | 45.0 | 3% |
| Relay air traffic information, such as courses, altitudes, or expected arrival times, to control centers. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 3% |
| Inspect, adjust, or control radio equipment or airport lights. | Routine Manual | 35 | 47.0 | 2% |
| Compile information about flights from flight plans, pilot reports, radar, or observations. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 3% |
| Organize flight plans or traffic management plans to prepare for planes about to enter assigned airspace. | Non-Routine Analytical | 55 | 49.0 | 3% |
| Conduct pre-flight briefings on weather conditions, suggested routes, altitudes, indications of turbulence, or other flight safety information. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 35 | 29.0 | 2% |
| Analyze factors such as weather reports, fuel requirements, or maps to determine air routes. | Non-Routine Analytical | 70 | 55.0 | 2% |
| Review records or reports for clarity and completeness and maintain records or reports as required under federal law. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 2% |
| Complete daily activity reports and keep records of messages from aircraft. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 2% |
Community Assessment
Do you agree with this risk score?
Related Jobs
Chief Executives
11-1011.00
General and Operations Managers
11-1021.00
Advertising and Promotions Managers
11-2011.00
Marketing Managers
11-2021.00
Sales Managers
11-2022.00
Computer and Information Systems Managers
11-3021.00
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.