Air traffic controllers
£90,207
Average salary
47 hours
Average weekly hours
6.61%
Unemployment rate
Definition: Air traffic controllers
*SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification): 3511
Air traffic controllers prepare flight plans, authorise flight departures and arrivals and maintain radio, radar and/or visual contact with aircraft to ensure the safe movement of air traffic.
Common tasks include:
- maintains radio and/or radar or visual contact with aircraft and liaises with other air traffic controllers and control centres to direct aircraft in and out of controlled airspace and into holding areas ready for landing;
- directs the movement of aircraft en route to its destination and ensures minimum distances are maintained between planes;
- gives landing instructions to pilot and monitors descent of aircraft;
- directs movement of aircraft and motor vehicles on runways, taxiways and in parking bays;
- obtains information regarding weather conditions, navigational hazards, landing conditions, seating arrangements, loading of cargo, fuel and catering supplies;
- calculates fuel consumption and optimum flying height, plans route and prepares flight plan for aircraft pilot;
- discusses operational requirements with pilot, issues duty schedules for flight deck and cabin crews, maintains records of flight progress and authorises flight departure;
- handles emergencies, unscheduled traffic and other unanticipated incidents.
Qualifications
Entrants require GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades, a BTEC/SQA award or an Advanced GNVQ/GSVQ Level III. Academic requirements may be lowered for those with relevant aviation experience. Whilst entrants may begin training towards obtaining a licence earlier than 18 years of age, they may not apply for a Student Licence before 18 years. A full air traffic controller licence can only be issued to individuals of at least 21 years of age. Candidates must have good eyesight and no hearing or speech defects. Entrants are required to undergo a medical examination. Training lasts 74 weeks and consists of courses of study followed by supervised practical experience leading to the award of a Civil Aviation Authority licence.
*Introduced in 1990, SOC is a multi-purpose common classification of occupations in UK. Jobs are defined in terms of skill level and skill content, including qualifications, training and work experience.
Employment status: Air traffic controllers
Regional employment: Air traffic controllers
Future employment: Air traffic controllers
Top 12 industries: Air traffic controllers
Alternative & related job titles: Air traffic controllers
Officer, briefing Assistant, service, traffic, air Officer, control, traffic, air Controller, radar, area Controller of aircraft Planner, flight Officer, control, space (airport) Assistant, services, traffic, air Controller, movement, ground (airport) Planner, traffic, air Controller, traffic, air
Equality focus: Air traffic controllers
Breaking down the official government big data sources by gender, age and region. Hours and pay data based on full time equlivalent roles.
Breakdown by gender
£77,171
Female average annual salary
£91,772
Male average annual salary
47
Female average weekly hours
47
Male average weekly hours
Average pay per hour: Air traffic controllers
Workforce gender: Air traffic controllers
Breakdown by region
£124,622
London - highest annual average salary
£77,693
North East (England) - lowest annual average salary
64
East Midlands (England) - Highest average weekly hours
35
South East (England) - Lowest average weekly hours
Average pay per week (£): Air traffic controllers
Average weekly hours by UK region/nation: Air traffic controllers
Breakdown by age
20 years
Lowest annual salary (£43,800)
years
Highest annual salary (£0) at this age