How to hire an air traffic instructor

How to hire an air traffic instructor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step air traffic instructor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an air traffic instructor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new air traffic instructor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your air traffic instructor job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an air traffic instructor for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect air traffic instructor also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of air traffic instructors.

   Type of Air Traffic Instructor	Description	Hourly rate
   Air Traffic Instructor	Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic to ensure that aircraft stay safe distances apart.	$15-39
   Instructor	Instructors are responsible for imparting knowledge to students. They are well-versed in different topics related to their area of teaching... Show more	$14-45
   Lead Instructor	A lead instructor's responsibilities vary depending on the line of work or industry. Most of the time, a lead instructor must devise plans and strategies on educating students or trainees on a particular subject... Show more	$15-37

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Course Curriculum
   • Training Programs
   • Air Traffic Control
   • USAF
   • Federal Aviation Administration
   • Curriculum Design
   • Field Training
   • Combat
   • Law Enforcement
   • Training Objectives
   • Course Materials
   • Instructional Techniques
   • Course Standards
   • Aircraft Maintenance

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead unit Information/Personnel/Industrial security programs to ensure unit meet DoD mandates.
   • Lead recruitment and training for first ever associate operational combat flying organization.
   • Progress student understanding of online course material by producing accompanying PowerPoint presentations and employing discussion and live computer demonstrations.
   • Cover the fundamental concepts of chemistry and biology including cell biology, metabolism, microbiology, genetics, evolution and histology.
   • Prepare documents relate to cargo shipping (HAWB, MAWB, manifest, etc . )

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your air traffic instructor job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An air traffic instructor can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, air traffic instructors' average salary in kansas is 44% less than in rhode island.
   • Seniority. Entry-level air traffic instructors 60% less than senior-level air traffic instructors.
   • Certifications. An air traffic instructor with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an air traffic instructor's salary.

   Average air traffic instructor salary

   $52,753yearly

   $25.36 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level air traffic instructor salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 25, 2025

4. Writing an air traffic instructor job description

   A good air traffic instructor job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an air traffic instructor job description:

   Air traffic instructor job description example

   * ATTN FERS RETIREES: Earnings received as an ATC Instructor, ATC Training Instructional Supervisor, or Contractor Site Supervisor working on this program are EXEMPT from the Supplemental Annuity earnings limits for FERS retirees between the ages of 56 and 62.
   
   We are looking for an experienced (Part-time) En Route Air Traffic Control Instructor to join the SAIC Controller Training Solutions (CTS) team providing Air Traffic Controller training services for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, OK.
   
   The FAA is responsible for ensuring that Air Traffic Control Specialists provide the flying public with a high level of safety and professionalism. A well-trained Air Traffic Control (ATC) workforce plays an essential role in fulfilling this responsibility. The FAA employs more than 14,000 air traffic controllers. They work in air traffic facilities of varying sizes, safely separating more than 50,000 aircraft in the National Airspace System (NAS) each day.
   
   To provide such air traffic services, the FAA trains new air traffic control specialists and provides recurrent training to current Air Traffic Control Specialists. The FAA utilizes Contractor-provided instructional services at FAA ATC facilities throughout the U.S. and its Territories to ensure these training needs are met. The scope of the contractor-provided services includes all training and training program support to successfully train and prepare students to become fully certified air traffic controllers. SAIC must provide training and training related support services as required for all types and levels of ATC facilities.
   Required Skills and Experience:
   
   Candidates for these instructor positions must have a minimum of 3 years of CPC ATCS experience in a FAA civilian ARTCC or other equivalent civilian facility.
   
   This experience must have been at a facility equal to or exceeding an FAA ATC-10 facility.
   
   In addition, candidates for these positions must have previously held the position of CPC ATCS or first-level supervisory ATCS.
   
   US Citizenship is required with the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
   
   Desired Skills and Experience:
   
   * OJTI certification and experience
   * Recent ATC experience with ERAM
   
   Education:
   
   * High school diploma or equivalent
   * FAA Certified Professional Controller (CPC) certification required.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right air traffic instructor for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with air traffic instructors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit air traffic instructors who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your air traffic instructor job on Zippia to find and recruit air traffic instructor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit air traffic instructors, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new air traffic instructor

   Once you've decided on a perfect air traffic instructor candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new air traffic instructor. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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