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Job outlook for traffic control specialists in the United States
Are traffic control specialist jobs in demand?
Traffic control specialist job and salary trends over time
Traffic control specialist jobs over time
Traffic control specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,375 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,227 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 3,244 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 3,166 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 3,032 | 0.00% |
Average traffic control specialist salary over time
Traffic control specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $42,315 | $20.34 | +0.7% |
| 2025 | $42,032 | $20.21 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | $41,226 | $19.82 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $40,429 | $19.44 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $39,969 | $19.22 | +2.8% |
Traffic control specialist jobs by state
Most common states for traffic control specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 133 | 19% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 868 | 13% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 172 | 13% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 124 | 13% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 73 | 13% |
| 6 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 368 | 12% |
| 7 | Alaska | 739,795 | 78 | 11% |
| 8 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,027 | 10% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 847 | 10% |
| 10 | Vermont | 623,657 | 60 | 10% |
| 11 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 569 | 9% |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 500 | 9% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 492 | 9% |
| 14 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 275 | 9% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 165 | 9% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 808 | 8% |
| 17 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 518 | 8% |
| 18 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 404 | 8% |
| 19 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 110 | 8% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 62 | 8% |
Most common cities for traffic control specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atwater | 2 | 7% | $48,522 |
| 2 | San Carlos | 2 | 7% | $49,065 |
| 3 | Fairbanks | 1 | 3% | $54,403 |
| 4 | Salinas | 3 | 2% | $49,280 |
| 5 | Mesa | 4 | 1% | $40,989 |
| 6 | Chandler | 2 | 1% | $41,046 |
| 7 | Modesto | 2 | 1% | $48,451 |
| 8 | Olathe | 2 | 1% | $33,454 |
| 9 | Auburn | 1 | 1% | $38,071 |
| 10 | Elgin | 1 | 1% | $36,256 |
| 11 | Fort Lauderdale | 1 | 1% | $31,623 |
| 12 | Goodyear | 1 | 1% | $41,256 |
| 13 | Sacramento | 2 | 0% | $47,290 |
| 14 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $36,866 |
| 15 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $35,932 |
| 16 | Fort Wayne | 1 | 0% | $39,774 |
Traffic Control Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of traffic control specialist experts
York College of the City University of New York
Rowan University
North Carolina Central University
Forsyth County, Georgia
Billy Metallinos
LecturerYork College of the City University of New York
Business & Economics Department (CUNY AVIATION INSTITUTE)
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Traffic Control Specialists?
Billy Metallinos: It will be enduring in the aviation industry as long as Covid is rampant; however, the industry is very resilient and is already taking off, with more than 1.6 million passengers screened in the nations airports in a single day, a significant increase from under a millions during covids' initial onset. Airlines and airports have already started bringing back furloughed pilots and other workers which may point to graduates have as good a chance as any of securing an aviation related career.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Traffic Control Specialists?
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.
Dr. Kate Seltzer Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorRowan University
Department of Language, Literacy and Sociocultural education
How would you rate the starting salaries for Traffic Control Specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Kate Seltzer Ph.D.: Educators are not paid nearly enough. However, working in a state with strong teachers' unions helps to ensure a starting salary that recent graduates can live off of and growth opportunities, albeit modest, over their careers.
Elisha Blankson
Program Director NCCU, Assistant ProfessorNorth Carolina Central University
Communication Disorders Department
What type of skills will young Traffic Control Specialists need?
Elisha Blankson: Graduates will need a skill set about the field in which they received training and additional skills useful to the job market. For example, with the changing demographics in the United States, extra skills in information technology and foreign languages will be a plus when entering the job market.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Traffic Control Specialists to find work opportunities?
Donna Kukarola: This one, not so sure of, the southeast continues to see options as well as mid-western states.