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Job outlook for traffic control operators in the United States
Are traffic control operator jobs in demand?
Yes, traffic control operator jobs are in demand. Traffic control operator demand is projected to grow 1% from 2018 to 2028.
Traffic control operator job and salary trends over time
Compare the number of traffic control operator jobs and the average traffic control operator salary over time.
Traffic control operator jobs over time
Traffic control operator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 445 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 466 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 464 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 470 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 478 | 0.00% |
Average traffic control operator salary over time
Traffic control operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $40,578 | $19.51 | +6.0% |
| 2025 | $38,266 | $18.40 | --1.2% |
| 2024 | $38,748 | $18.63 | - |
| 2023 | $38,748 | $18.63 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $38,086 | $18.31 | --0.4% |
Traffic control operator jobs by state
The map below shows you the number of traffic control operator job openings in each state. The darker areas on the map show where traffic control operators earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.
Most common states for traffic control operators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 204 | 29% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,838 | 27% |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 190 | 18% |
| 4 | Alaska | 739,795 | 126 | 17% |
| 5 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,278 | 14% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 146 | 11% |
| 7 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 144 | 10% |
| 8 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 624 | 6% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 549 | 6% |
| 10 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 379 | 6% |
| 11 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 323 | 6% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 180 | 6% |
| 13 | Delaware | 961,939 | 58 | 6% |
| 14 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 35 | 6% |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 588 | 5% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 494 | 5% |
| 17 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 323 | 5% |
| 18 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 301 | 5% |
| 19 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 261 | 5% |
| 20 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 234 | 5% |
Most common cities for traffic control operators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Franklin | 1 | 4% | $40,728 |
| 2 | Douglasville | 1 | 3% | $39,664 |
| 3 | Amarillo | 1 | 1% | $33,375 |
| 4 | Clifton | 1 | 1% | $30,269 |
| 5 | Danbury | 1 | 1% | $45,616 |
| 6 | Dearborn | 1 | 1% | $45,362 |
| 7 | Fairfield | 1 | 1% | $41,083 |
| 8 | Los Angeles | 2 | 0% | $42,895 |
| 9 | Albuquerque | 1 | 0% | $41,429 |
| 10 | Austin | 1 | 0% | $36,007 |
| 11 | Chula Vista | 1 | 0% | $42,203 |
| 12 | Corpus Christi | 1 | 0% | $36,367 |
| 13 | Dallas | 1 | 0% | $33,838 |
| 14 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $35,276 |
Traffic Control Operator job outlook: Expert opinions
We spoke to traffic control operator professors and experts from several universities and companies to get their opinions on where the traffic control operator job market for recent graduates is heading and how young graduates entering the traffic control operator industry can be adequately prepared. Here are their thoughts.
Our panel of traffic control operator experts
Billy Metallinos
York College of the City University of New York
Billy Metallinos
LecturerYork College of the City University of New York
Business & Economics Department (CUNY AVIATION INSTITUTE)
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Traffic Control Operators?
Billy Metallinos: Overall, becuase of the size and complexity of the national air space system, the demand for qualified personnel will remain ensuring a need for the current certifications, licenses, courses, and I would add perhaps even more are necessary to keep up with the dynamic needs and new technologies evolving in aviation.
Traffic control operator jobs
Updated April 15, 2021