Pay for air traffic controllers, stress, job schedules, etc....?

Question

Hi!

My boyfriend is considering a career in air traffic control & I've encouraged him to job shadow, but he hasn't yet. Anyway, he's spent some time in college, decided he needs a break from school &recently applied thru the FAA website for an ATC trainee position. He has some FT work experience, college yrs & is in the marine corps reserves, so he handles stress alright (although I'd like to think of him as more laid back, he seems to think he can handle it..) We were wondering about the pros/cons of the job. I know recently theyve cut payscales big time in 2006 although all the career websites STILL claim ATCs make over 100K+ a year. He wants a high paying job that doesn't require a lot of schooling but from what I've been reading on forums, they don't get paid as well now a days, current ATCs hate working for the FAA, don't recommend the job, etc. He wants money & a good pension. Id like to see him have a stable job, decent work schedule & have a life other than work/not stressed

Answer 1

The last I heard new controllers will top out at $75,000 (base) a year.  The controllers who are now retiring, are eligible to retire, or are coming close to being eligible, do make over $100,000 (base).  

I can't tell you about the current pension plan as my husband is on the old one.  

Work schedule isn't too bad.  They work eight hour days (no set break time but they do get their breaks).   A week's schedule can include day shifts, swing shifts and a midnight shift but will at least include day and swing shifts.  There are no straight days, swing or midnight shifts that I know of.

Some (most/all?) of the older controllers do hate working for the FAA now, hence the retirements.  

The FAA doesn't require a college education anymore (which is good!).  Being Marine reserve might help, I don't know if they count reserve different than active.  If they don't then he's got a leg up.  But, he will have to complete the FAA school and then complete his OTJ.  At any time during his training he can be let go.  They will try their best to get him through, but in the end if he can't hack it they will cut him loose.