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Air traffic controller

Air traffic controllers give information and advice to airline pilots to help them take off and land safely and on time.

Annual Salary

£21,000 to £52,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

35 to 45 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; on shifts

Day to day tasks

Your tasks will vary depending on which type of controller you become. There are 3 types:

  • area controllers - track and guide aircraft flying at higher altitudes through a sector and are based at a regional control centre
  • approach controllers - manage aircraft as they approach the airport and issue instructions to planes that have just taken off
  • aerodrome controllers - work in a control tower, giving clearance to land and take off, and guide pilots to the correct taxi positions on stands and runways

Typically in these roles you could:

  • make sure safe distances are maintained between aircraft
  • keep in radio contact with flight crew and give out instructions
  • prevent collisions between planes and with other obstacles
  • handle emergencies
  • monitor data

Working environment

You could work in an airport control tower.

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • a trainee scheme
Apprenticeship

You could do an apprenticeship to get into this career, for example:

  • Aviation Flight Operations Co-ordinator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Air Traffic Controller Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship

You may be able to get into a similar role through an armed forces apprenticeship:Royal Air Force; Royal Navy

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • RAF apprenticeships|https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/apprenticeships
  • Royal Navy apprenticeships|https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/levels-of-entry/apprenticeships
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Other routes

You can apply for a place as a trainee with National Air Traffic Services.

You'll need a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent qualifications, including English and maths.

You'll be expected to relocate to Fareham in Hampshire while training. Once you qualify, you could work anywhere in the UK.

Initial training takes up to 1 year and further training may continue while working.

You may also be considered for training if you have relevant aviation experience as a military air traffic controller, or military or commercial pilot.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

  • You should be eligible to work in the UK.
  • You must be prepared to work anywhere in the UK.
  • pass security checks
  • pass a medical check
  • be over 18 years of age

More information

Career tips

Senior air traffic controllers' salaries can rise to between £70,000 and £100,000 at larger airports.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming an air traffic controller from National Air Traffic Services.

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With experience, you could move into training and assessing new controllers, or become a supervisor or unit manager.

You could also move into operations management.

You can find out more about becoming an air traffic controller from National Air Traffic Services.

Video stories related to this job

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • concentration skills
  • knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
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