TransportationCompare

Air Traffic Controller

O*NET: Air Traffic Controllers·53-2021.00

The Verdict:Air traffic control demands constant real-time judgment in dynamic airspace, coordinating pilots via radio amid weather, emergencies, and conflicts no algorithm fully replicates. On-site tower presence is federally mandated with rigorous training barriers. AI aids monitoring and planning but cannot bear safety accountability. The role remains human-driven.

Resilience Score

/100

Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$145k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+1.2%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 0 of 23 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role's core work is hard to automate.
17 of 23 tasks require human judgment, presence, or trust. The 26% that are AI-leverage offer an edge — professionals who learn these tools will outperform those who don't.

0exposed

6AI leverage

17human-essential

View all 23 tasks

AI Can Handle This0 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

No exposed tasks identified

AI Leverage6 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.

Compile information about flights from flight plans, pilot reports, radar, or observations.

Organize flight plans or traffic management plans to prepare for planes about to enter assigned airspace.

Review records or reports for clarity and completeness and maintain records or reports, as required under federal law.

Complete daily activity reports and keep records of messages from aircraft.

Analyze factors such as weather reports, fuel requirements, or maps to determine air routes.

Human Advantage17 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.

Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.

Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.

Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.

Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.

Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.

Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.

Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance or baggage vehicles, or airport workers.

Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information.

Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement.

Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes.

Initiate or coordinate searches for missing aircraft.

Provide on-the-job training to new air traffic controllers.

Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots' requests for altitude changes.

Relay air traffic information, such as courses, altitudes, or expected arrival times, to control centers.

Inspect, adjust, or control radio equipment or airport lights.

Conduct pre-flight briefings on weather conditions, suggested routes, altitudes, indications of turbulence, or other flight safety information.

Resilience Landscape

Air Traffic Controller lands in Stable & Well-Paid

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