WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration will open its annual hiring window for air traffic controllers on April 17 as federal officials work to address ongoing staffing shortages and expand the workforce.
What This Means for You
- FAA is hiring air traffic controllers starting April 17
- No college degree required for applicants
- Hiring push aims to address staffing shortages nationwide
The hiring window will open at midnight and remain active until the agency receives 8,000 applications, with officials urging candidates to apply early through USAJobs.gov.
Air traffic controllers manage aircraft movements on the ground and in the air, ensuring safe distances between planes and coordinating takeoffs, landings, and flight paths.
Hiring Push and Workforce Needs
Federal officials said the hiring effort is part of a broader push to increase staffing levels, which have reached their highest point in six years.
The FAA currently has nearly 11,000 controllers in service, with more than 4,000 trainees in the pipeline.
From January through September 2025, the agency hired 20 percent more controllers than during the same period the previous year.
Officials said the agency has also reduced hiring timelines by more than five months and onboarded approximately 2,400 controllers since last March.
Recruitment Strategy Shift
The FAA is expanding its recruitment approach to reach younger applicants, including those with skills developed through gaming and nontraditional career paths.
Officials said skills such as multitasking, spatial awareness, and rapid decision-making are critical for air traffic control roles.
“With only about 25 percent of controllers holding a traditional college degree, this effort is focused on reaching talented young people pursuing alternative career paths,” officials said.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the campaign aims to connect with a broader talent pool.
“To reach the next generation of air traffic controllers, we need to adapt,” Duffy said. “There’s never been a more exciting time to become a controller.”
Training and Career Outlook
Applicants who are selected will train at the FAA’s Air Traffic Controller Academy in Oklahoma City, where officials said training capacity has expanded, including a 15 percent increase in instructors.
The agency reported nearly all academy seats were filled last year, marking a record level of participation.
Officials said new hires can expect faster entry into training due to streamlined processes and may reach six-figure salaries within three years.
How to Apply
Applicants can learn more about the hiring process and submit applications at:
https://www.faa.gov/atc-hiring
Officials said the hiring push is part of ongoing efforts to ensure aviation safety by maintaining a fully staffed and trained workforce.
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