How to hire a certified professional controller

How to hire a certified professional controller, step by step

Here's a step-by-step certified professional controller hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a certified professional controller, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A certified professional controller's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, certified professional controllers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of certified professional controllers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Certified Professional Controller	Description	Hourly rate
   Certified Professional Controller	Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic to ensure that aircraft stay safe distances apart.	$26-67
   Air Traffic Controller	An air traffic controller specializes in overseeing and directing airspace traffic, all while maintaining an active line of communication with aircraft to ensure safe and efficient air travels. Generally assigned in ground control centers and towers, an air traffic controller's responsibilities revolve around utilizing technology to monitor flight paths, weather, and airport runways to guide pilots and airport personnel, coordinating with other control officers, inspecting and maintaining instruments and equipment in good condition, and alerting departments and assigned personnel should there be any emergencies.	$12-43
   Traffic Controller	The primary role of a traffic controller is to direct the flow of machinery and vehicles on roads and any other work sites. Traffic controllers coordinate, setup, manage, and remove traffic control... Show more	$11-30

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Critical Path
   • Infection Prevention
   • Cash Flow
   • WBS
   • Earned Value Management
   • Internal Controls
   • SOX
   • QC
   • CPC
   • EN
   • FAA
   • Cost Performance
   • Air Traffic Control
   • CIC

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Facilitate the implementation of ERP system, which increase productivity in efficiently and effectively manage the functionality of the organization.
   • Provide leadership and training to incoming airmen and volunteer for many USAF organizations.
   • Correct and update the financial reporting system and institute financial integrity throughout the organization via operational and financial oversight and controls.
   • Provide financial planning process oversight, interface with department managers and corporate PMO to ensure adherence with corporate goals.
   • Provide guidance and roll-up data for weekly, monthly, and quarterly updates via conference calls within PMO guidelines.
   • Interface and coordinate with internal and external customers and operations managers in updating departmental EAC.

   More certified professional controller duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the certified professional controller job description is a good way to get more applicants. A certified professional controller salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a certified professional controller in South Carolina may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level certified professional controller. Additionally, a certified professional controller with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average certified professional controller salary

   $88,588yearly

   $42.59 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level certified professional controller salary

   $55,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 30, 2026

   Average certified professional controller salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Alaska	$117,877	$57
   2	Washington	$109,343	$53
   3	Texas	$107,051	$51
   4	Oregon	$104,450	$50
   5	California	$103,235	$50
   6	Virginia	$96,378	$46
   7	Massachusetts	$95,887	$46
   8	Minnesota	$94,172	$45
   9	Louisiana	$91,789	$44
   10	Utah	$91,220	$44
   11	North Carolina	$89,638	$43
   12	Ohio	$88,178	$42
   13	New York	$87,112	$42
   14	Florida	$84,699	$41
   15	Georgia	$84,594	$41
   16	South Carolina	$71,240	$34
   17	New Jersey	$64,441	$31
   18	Illinois	$61,462	$30
   19	Puerto Rico	$39,394	$19

   Average certified professional controller salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Kaiser Permanente	$143,177	$68.84	124
   2	Morgan Stanley	$113,677	$54.65	14
   3	Sanofi US	$108,737	$52.28
   4	Halliburton	$107,808	$51.83	3
   5	Pacific Northwest National Laboratory	$95,434	$45.88	2
   6	Ch2M Hill	$90,518	$43.52
   7	Siemens	$88,268	$42.44	8
   8	Jacobs Engineering Group	$87,231	$41.94
   9	U.S. Bank	$83,733	$40.26	1
   10	Schneider Electric Industrial Services	$81,881	$39.37	10
   11	Samsung Electronics Device Solutions (Semiconductor & Display)	$81,825	$39.34	1
   12	Stantec	$81,514	$39.19	46
   13	Clover Leaf Solutions	$81,314	$39.09
   14	Appalachian Regional Healthcare	$78,553	$37.77
   15	Rocket Lab	$78,460	$37.72	2
   16	Paro	$77,776	$37.39
   17	Jacobs Enterprises	$77,725	$37.37	92
   18	Bank of America	$76,494	$36.78	19
   19	HazTek Safety Management	$76,391	$36.73
   20	Xponential Fitness	$76,384	$36.72	1

4. Writing a certified professional controller job description

   A good certified professional controller 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 a certified professional controller job description:

   Certified professional controller job description example

   SMSI provides expert management consulting, program and project management, and technical consulting services to government and private sector clients. A small business founded in 2008, SMSI has built an outstanding reputation for client-focused performance and for delivering results that enable clients to meet commitments and milestones.
   EOE/AA - M/F/Vet/Disability/Drug-Free Workplace
   
   SMSI, LLC is seeking all levels of Project Controls Professionals for long term, permanent assignments at either Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA or their Las Vegas, NV location. SMSI has over 5 positions to fill. The need is immediate. SMSI has long term contracts at LLNL to support a variety of ongoing nuclear weapons programs.
   
   SMSI offers excellent salary, full benefits package (401K, generous paid time off, medical/dental coverage, vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, and other benefits). The need is immediate. Positions are direct hire, long term, and are full-time position. Per diem, lodging, and travel expenses paid. Relocation available.
   
   SMSI is in need of the following:
   
   Project Controls Managers, Senior Project Controls, Mid-Level, and Junior Level Project Controls Professionals for the Nuclear Weapons Program: 1. For Project Controls Management Positions: Must possess at least 20 overall years of comprehensive project controls experience and at least 5 years direct management experience in scheduling, planning, Earned Value Management, progress reporting, and program oversight. Must be expert with Primavera products and EVMS packages (specifically Primavera 6). 2. For Senior Positions: Must possess at least 20 years of comprehensive project controls experience in scheduling, planning, Earned Value Management, progress reporting, and program oversight. Must be expert with Primavera products and EVMS packages (specifically Primavera 6). 3. For Mid-level positions: Must possess at least 10-20 years of project controls experience in scheduling, planning, Earned Value Management. Must be expert with Primavera products and EVMS packages (specifically Primavera 6). For all positions: • Ability to get a DOE Q clearance (or DoD TS/SCI) • Desired: BS or BA degree in engineering, science, business, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferable; experience substituted for degree • Must have experience in DOE and NNSA programs • Must be knowledgeable on DOE Orders and Guides related to Project Management and EVMS • Must be knowledgeable of the NNSA 6.X Weapons Lifecycle
   
   All candidates must possess: • US Citizenship • Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening test • Excellent written and verbal communication skills • Excellent organizational skills • Capability with MS Office Suite • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interface with clients, contractors, and consultant on a day-to-day basis.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find certified professional controllers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any certified professional controllers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level certified professional controllers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your certified professional controller job on Zippia to find and recruit certified professional controller candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with certified professional controller candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 certified professional controller

   Once you've decided on a perfect certified professional controller 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.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new certified professional controller first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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