SOC 53-2021
Air Traffic Controllers
Risk Score
โ ๏ธ40/100
Moderate
US Employment
๐ฅ22,400
Total workers
Median Wage
๐ฐ$145K
$76K โ $210K
Projected Growth
๐+1.2%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
๐ค95/100
High exposure
๐ก Air Traffic Controllers face a risk score of 40/100 โ 4 points below the national average of 44. With 95/100 GenAI exposure, this occupation faces significant pressure from AI tools despite strong projected growth. See our methodology โ
๐ก Workers in this field earn $145K ($98K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions offer lower AI risk while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths โ
๐ AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 40/100, Air Traffic Controllers faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like autonomous vehicle and self-driving truck technology are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 22,400 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in navigating unpredictable road and weather conditions and emergency situation response and quick decision-making to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Air Traffic Controllers?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths โ
โ ๏ธ Top Risk Factors
Autonomous vehicle and self-driving truck technology
AI-generated written content replacing manual drafting
AI route optimization reducing dispatcher roles
๐ก๏ธ Tasks Safe from Automation
Navigating unpredictable road and weather conditions
Emergency situation response and quick decision-making
Navigating complex urban environments with obstacles
Customer interaction and conflict resolution during delivery
๐ Task Automation Breakdown
Based on O*NET task analysis and GenAI exposure scoring. Shows the estimated proportion of this occupation's core tasks that are automatable by current AI, augmented by AI tools, or require essential human skills.
๐ O*NET Task Profile
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.
๐ป Technology Skills
Document management software
Expert system software
Flight control software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Data base user interface and query software
๐ Key Knowledge Areas
Transportation
English Language
Public Safety and Security
Education and Training
Customer and Personal Service
๐ vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
๐ Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | 25 | $62K | 70% |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | 37 | $227K | 81% |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | 28 | $34K | 79% |