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.
AI Impact Summary
Air Traffic Controllers faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 45/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 85% of all analyzed occupations. Of 24 analyzed tasks, 11 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
6
AI-Vulnerable
7
AI-Resistant
5
AI-Augmented
AI-Vulnerable
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
AI-Resistant
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
24 tasks analyzed
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.
Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems. | 55 | 71.2% | 8% |
| Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions. | 50 | 69.2% | 8% |
| Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations. | 30 | 39.0% | 3% |
| Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights. | 65 | 75.2% | 5% |
| Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties. | 65 | 75.2% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 26.1%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$144,580
per year
Mean Wage
$142,740
per year
Employment
22K
workers
Wage Range
$76,090 - $210,410
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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