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Job outlook for traffic controllers in the United States
Traffic controller job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected traffic controller job growth rate is 1% from 2018-2028.
About 100 new jobs for traffic controllers are projected over the next decade.
Traffic controller salaries have increased 7% for traffic controllers in the last 5 years.
There are over 7,179 traffic controllers currently employed in the United States.
There are 17,859 active traffic controller job openings in the US.
The average traffic controller salary is $39,099.
Are traffic controller jobs in demand?
Traffic controller job and salary trends over time
Traffic controller jobs over time
Traffic controller job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,179 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 7,504 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 7,470 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 7,571 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 7,707 | 0.00% |
Average traffic controller salary over time
Traffic controller salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $39,099 | $18.80 | +6.0% |
| 2024 | $36,872 | $17.73 | --1.2% |
| 2023 | $37,337 | $17.95 | - |
| 2022 | $37,337 | $17.95 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | $36,698 | $17.64 | --0.4% |
Traffic controller jobs by state
Most common states for traffic controllers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 37 | 5% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 37 | 4% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 214 | 3% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 176 | 3% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 162 | 3% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 157 | 3% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 104 | 3% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 43 | 3% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 19 | 3% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 15 | 3% |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 221 | 2% |
| 12 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 198 | 2% |
| 13 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 180 | 2% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 125 | 2% |
| 15 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 119 | 2% |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 118 | 2% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 77 | 2% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 30 | 2% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 18 | 2% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 13 | 2% |
Most common cities for traffic controllers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grandview | 1 | 4% | $39,792 |
| 2 | Lake Worth | 1 | 3% | $34,964 |
| 3 | Greenwood | 1 | 2% | $39,780 |
| 4 | Winter Garden | 1 | 2% | $34,722 |
| 5 | Arlington | 2 | 1% | $42,270 |
| 6 | Fort Lauderdale | 1 | 1% | $35,171 |
| 7 | Greeley | 1 | 1% | $36,354 |
| 8 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $44,882 |
| 9 | Temecula | 1 | 1% | $37,985 |
| 10 | Raleigh | 2 | 0% | $37,355 |
| 11 | Las Vegas | 1 | 0% | $38,064 |
| 12 | Milwaukee | 1 | 0% | $42,211 |
Traffic Controller job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of traffic controller experts
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)
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Traffic Controllers?
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 Controllers?
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.