Air Traffic Controllers - Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers according to established procedures and policies. Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.
The national average annual salary for this occupation is $110,280 per year. Nationally, the average hourly wage for this occupation is $53.02. The average wage in New Mexico is well below the national average. In New Mexico, the average hourly wage is $49.45 and most workers in this occupation earn between $28.96 and $59.70 per hour.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| Area | Entry Wage | Average Wage | Experienced Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Annual | $110,280 | ||
| National Hourly | $53.02 | ||
| Statewide Annual | $60,228 | $102,854 | $124,167 |
| Statewide Hourly | $28.96 | $49.45 | $59.70 |
| Metro Areas | |||
| Albuquerque Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Farmington Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Las Cruces Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Santa Fe Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Regions | |||
| Central Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Eastern Annual | $56,399 | $76,129 | $85,993 |
| Hourly | $27.11 | $36.60 | $41.34 |
| Northern Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Southwestern Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
For more detailed information about New Mexico wages visit the Occupational Employment Statistics program website.
Information displayed represents annual 2010 wages.
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New Mexico
2008 to 2018
In 2008 there were about 400 workers in this occupation in New Mexico. The Department of Workforce Solutions estimates that by 2018 this number will increase by about 17 percent and an estmated 470 will be employed in this occupation. Compared to other occupations, employment growth in this occupation is growing more slowly than the average. Job opportunities indicate few and keen competition, as there should be about 7 openings each year for workers in this occupation.
In the Table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas
| Area | Estimated Employment 2008 | Projected Employment 2018 | Annual Percent Change | Total Annual Average Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 400 | 470 | 1.61% | 7 |
| + Metro Areas | ||||
| Albuquerque | - | - | - | - |
| Farmington | - | - | - | - |
| Las Cruces | - | - | - | - |
| Santa Fe | - | - | - | - |
| + Regions | ||||
| Central | - | - | - | - |
| Eastern | 50 | 60 | 1.73% | 1 |
| Northern | - | - | - | - |
| Southwestern | - | - | - | - |
A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
Air Traffic Controllers usually need High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate).
| Education Level | Percentage |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate) | 42% |
| Some College Courses | 16% |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 14% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 12% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades) | 11% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 3% |
| First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession | 1% |
Information based on O*NET data and is the result of a national survey.
Use this list to find educational opportunities for this occupation. Contact the specific schools directly to find out application requirements and program availability.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| + Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell | ||
|---|---|---|
| Website:http://www.roswell.enmu.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Air Traffic Controller | |
This list is updated once a year and is compiled from the NM Department of Higher Education and other sources.
No New Mexico occupational license is required.
No WorkKeys scores are available for this particular occupation.
For further information on WorkKeys please visit the ACT-WorkKeys website. Skill levels are provided for individuals who know thier scores.
- Air Route Controller
- Air Route Traffic Controller
- Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS)
- Air Traffic Control Specialist, Station
- Air Traffic Control Specialist, Tower
- Air Traffic Controller
- Air Traffic Controller (Enroute Option)
- Air Traffic Controller (Tower Option)
- Air Traffic Coordinator
- Aircraft Communicator
- Airport Traffic Controller
- Airway Controller
- Airway Traffic Controller
- Airways Control Specialist
- Airways Operations Specialist
- Certified Professional Controller (CPC)
- Chief Controller
- Communications Operator
- Communicator
- Control Tower Operator
- Dispatcher
- Dispatcher, Flight Tower
- Flight Communications Officer
- Flight Control Specialist
- Flight Dispatcher
- Flight Radio Officer
- Flight Radio Operator
- Flight Service Specialist
- Ground Control Approach Technician (GCA Technician)
- Signal Tower Operator
- Supervisor, Air Traffic
- Technician, Ground Control Approach
- Tower Control Operator