We surveyed 516 air traffic controllers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical air traffic controller. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as an air traffic controller?
Low
High
Working as an air traffic controller typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that air traffic controllers are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.
Can I learn to become an air traffic controller?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as an air traffic controller typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as an air traffic controller?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as an air traffic controller. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for air traffic controllers.
Do air traffic controllers work full-time or part-time?
93% of air traffic controllers work in full-time roles while 7% work part-time.
Is being an air traffic controller stressful?
Low
High
Stress is very commonplace for air traffic controllers, contributing negatively towards career satisfaction.
Is being organized important as an air traffic controller?
Low
High
Organization is not considered a particuarly important part of being an air traffic controller.
How competitive is the workplace for air traffic controllers?
Low
High
Air traffic controllers tend to see lots of competition in the workplace, with desire to get ahead of co-workers being common.
Does being an air traffic controller require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Air traffic controllers will have to sometimes face time pressure on the job.
Are air traffic controllers allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Air traffic controllers rarely get a chance to express themselves creatively.
Do air traffic controllers have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
While sometimes the direction is set, occasionally air traffic controllers will have some flexibility over the direction of their work.
Is being an air traffic controller physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as an air traffic controllers is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.
Are air traffic controllers exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
Air traffic controllers tend to have a monotonous work routine, with little variety in their day-to-day tasks.
Does being an air traffic controller require attention to detail?
Low
High
As in many careers, attention to detail is quite helpful for air traffic controllers.
Does being a good air traffic controller require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
The ability to be compassion and empathetic isn't considered fundamental to success as an air traffic controller.