🟢 Status: OPEN | Direct Hire Authority | Source: USAJOBS.gov
FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist Jobs 2026 — Federal Aviation Administration | Apply Now
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under the US Department of Transportation (DOT), is hiring Air Traffic Control Specialists (ATCS) for 2026 at facilities nationwide under Direct Hire Authority. This is one of the most well-compensated and prestigious federal careers available — average certified earnings exceed $155,000+ per year within just 3 years of FAA Academy graduation.
Training begins at $22.61/hour with full federal benefits while you attend the paid FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. The FAA needs thousands of controllers to protect 2.9 million daily passengers across the world’s largest and busiest airspace system.
⚠️ You must be UNDER 31 years of age at time of application. Apply now — do not wait.
Job Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) — Trainee to Certified Professional Controller |
| Agency | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |
| Department | US Department of Transportation (DOT) |
| Job Control Number | 861525200 |
| Location | Nationwide — Facility assigned based on FAA operational needs |
| Work Schedule | Full-Time — Rotating shifts including nights, weekends, holidays |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Pay Series | FG-2152 — Air Traffic Control |
| Training Pay | $22.61/hour ($40,649/yr) during FAA Academy |
| Certified Pay | $155,000+/yr average within 3 years of Academy graduation |
| Hiring Authority | Direct Hire Authority — faster hiring process |
| Age Requirement | Must be UNDER 31 at time of application (veteran age waiver may apply) |
| Who May Apply | US Citizens Only |
| Security Clearance | Background Investigation + Psychological Evaluation Required |
| Drug Test | Required — pre-employment and random |
| Medical Exam | Required — FAA Medical Standards |
| Exam Required | Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) — must score Well-Qualified |
| Training Location | FAA Academy, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| USAJOBS Link | Click Here to Apply |
About the Role
As an FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist, you are one of America’s elite professionals — an “Air Traffic Controller,” responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic across the United States and beyond. You will guide pilots, sequence aircraft on approach, manage departure traffic, and coordinate with adjacent facilities to maintain the safety of millions of passengers and crew members every single day.
The FAA is the world’s largest and most complex air traffic management organization — handling 45,000 flights and 2.9 million passengers daily. The FAA is currently on an aggressive hiring surge to fill a critical nationwide shortage of controllers, modernizing infrastructure with cutting-edge electronic flight strips, advanced radar, and next-generation voice communication systems under its brand new Air Traffic Control System modernization initiative.
“Being an air traffic controller is one of the best, most rewarding jobs in America. The next generation at the Academy is the best in the world.” — Sean P. Duffy, US Secretary of Transportation
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Provide safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic at FAA facilities including En Route Centers (ARTCCs), Terminal Radar Approach Controls (TRACONs), and Airport Traffic Control Towers (ATCTs)
- Assess facility traffic capacity and project acceptable levels of incoming and outgoing air traffic
- Issue appropriate traffic flow restrictions to adjacent facilities to space, hold, and reroute aircraft — distributing traffic flow and equalizing workload across positions
- Follow FAA policy when implementing Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs) to manage weather, congestion, and special use airspace
- Provide radar, non-radar, tower, and approach control services to aircraft operating within assigned airspace
- Coordinate with military controllers, airline operations centers, and other FAA facilities on complex traffic situations
- Respond to aircraft emergencies — providing immediate assistance and coordinating emergency services
- Operate advanced radar systems, electronic flight strips, voice switches, and high-reliability communications systems
- Maintain working knowledge of all aircraft operating in assigned airspace including performance characteristics and separation requirements
- Work rotating shifts — including nights, weekends, and federal holidays — as required by facility scheduling
5-Step Path to Becoming a Certified Professional Controller
| Phase | Step | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apply on USAJOBS | Submit 2-page max resume with dates, hours/week. Include transcripts and/or CTI endorsement letter. DD-214 if claiming veterans’ preference |
| 2 | ATSA Exam | Pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment — 3.5-hour computer-based cognitive test at PearsonVUE centers. Must score Well-Qualified |
| 3 | Medical & Security | Fingerprinting, federal background investigation, psychological evaluation, drug testing, and FAA medical exam |
| 4 | FAA Academy | Intensive paid training at FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, OK — several months. Hands-on simulation. Full pay and benefits during training |
| 5 | On-the-Job Training | Graduate and deploy to assigned facility. 1–3 years of on-the-job experience and certification to become a Certified Professional Controller (CPC) |
Qualifications & Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| US Citizenship | Required — no exceptions |
| Age | Must be under 31 years old at time of application submission |
| Age — Veterans | Veterans who served on active duty may receive age waiver — check announcement for details |
| English | Must speak English clearly and fluently — required for ATC communications |
| Education/Experience | Bachelor’s degree in any field OR 3 years of progressively responsible work experience OR combination OR CTI program completion |
| ATSA Score | Must score Well-Qualified on the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) |
| Medical | Must meet and maintain FAA medical standards throughout career |
| Psychological | Must pass pre-employment psychological evaluation |
| Background | Must pass federal background investigation for security clearance |
| Drug Test | Required pre-employment and at random thereafter — strict zero tolerance |
Qualifying Pathways
| Pathway | Description |
|---|---|
| General Public | Bachelor’s degree in any field OR 3 years of qualifying work experience |
| CTI Program | Completion of an FAA-approved Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program — provides enhanced competitive standing |
| Military Veterans | Prior military ATC experience — may qualify for advanced entry and salary |
| Former FAA Dev Controller | Rehired within 1 year of separation: $48,854 – $113,804/yr entry salary |
| Former FAA CPC | Rehired CPC: $52,918 – $153,636/yr based on prior experience |
Salary Progression & Benefits
Pay Progression — Trainee to CPC
| Stage | Pay | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Academy Training | $22.61/hr ($40,649/yr) + locality | During Academy (several months) |
| Developmental (Post-Academy) | $48,854 – $113,804/yr + locality | Years 1–3 at facility |
| Certified Professional Controller (CPC) | $155,000+/yr average | Within ~3 years of Academy graduation |
| Senior CPC / Supervisory | $170,000 – $200,000+/yr | With additional experience and advancement |
💡 Locality pay of up to 35% is added on top of base pay based on facility location — controllers at high-cost facilities in New York, LA, Chicago, and DC earn significantly more.
Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Training Pay | Fully paid during Academy — salary, housing per diem, and benefits |
| Health Insurance | Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) — best in class |
| Dental & Vision | Federal Employees Dental & Vision (FEDVIP) |
| Retirement | FERS — eligible to retire at age 50 with 20 years of service (law enforcement-equivalent retirement) |
| Mandatory Retirement | Age 56 (controllers must retire — ensuring active workforce) |
| TSP (401k) | Thrift Savings Plan with agency matching |
| Paid Leave | 13–26 days vacation + 13 days sick leave per year |
| Holidays | 11 paid federal holidays (premium pay if required to work) |
| Life Insurance | FEGLI — automatic enrollment |
| Shift Differential | Premium pay for night and weekend shifts |
| Advanced Technology | Work with world-leading air traffic systems — radar, electronic strips, voice switches |
How to Apply
Step 1 — Create a free account on USAJOBS.gov
Step 2 — Build your federal resume — maximum 2 pages (include all work experience with dates and hours/week; education with degree and major; any military or aviation experience)
Step 3 — Gather required documents:
- Resume (2-page max)
- College transcripts (if using education to qualify)
- CTI endorsement letter (if CTI graduate)
- DD-214 (if claiming veterans’ preference)
Step 4 — Apply at: www.usajobs.gov/job/861525200
Step 5 — If selected for ATSA, complete the 3.5-hour Air Traffic Skills Assessment at a PearsonVUE center — must score Well-Qualified
Step 6 — Complete medical evaluation, psychological screening, background investigation, and drug test
⚠️ Critical Warnings:
- You MUST be under 31 years old at the time of application — this is a statutory requirement with very limited exceptions
- FAA ATC announcements can close quickly — apply as soon as possible
- The 2-page resume limit is strictly enforced — longer resumes may be disqualified
- Prepare for the ATSA exam using practice tests — the Well-Qualified threshold is competitive
- All applications through USAJOBS.gov. For more info: faa.gov/atc-hiring
Veterans’ Preference
Veterans with honorable discharge are eligible for 5-point or 10-point hiring preference. Veterans who served on active duty may also qualify for an age waiver beyond the standard under-31 requirement. Veterans with military ATC experience (MOS 15Q, 93C — Army; Navy AC; Air Force 1C1X1) have a major competitive advantage — their experience may qualify them for a higher entry salary ($48,000–$153,000 depending on level of prior ATC certification). Include DD-214 with your application.
About the FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States, an agency of the Department of Transportation. The FAA is responsible for the safety of civil aviation and manages the world’s busiest and most complex airspace system — handling over 45,000 flights daily carrying 2.9 million passengers. The FAA employs over 45,000 people and operates 500+ air traffic facilities across the United States. The FAA is currently executing a major modernization program — upgrading all air traffic control systems with advanced radar, fiber optic infrastructure, electronic flight data management, and next-generation voice communications. A career as an FAA Air Traffic Controller is one of the most elite, well-compensated, and mission-critical positions in the entire US federal government.
Disclaimer
FederalJobsAlert.us is an independent job notification website. This listing is sourced from USAJOBS.gov and FAA.gov for informational purposes only. Always verify the latest details and apply directly at www.usajobs.gov/job/861525200. We are not affiliated with the FAA, DOT, or any US government agency.
Sources:
- Air Traffic Control Specialist – USAJOBS #861525200
- Safe Skies. Strong Careers. We’re Hiring Air Traffic Controllers – FAA.gov
- Aviation Careers – FAA.gov
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