Should I work for the FAA at an ATC? What is the pay scale?

Question

I've been offered a position at LA ARTCC... five years ago I would have been very happy. But in light of recent pay cuts not sure what to do. Does anyone know the current pay scale? What would be my pay after 3,5,and 10 years? Thanks

Answer 1

Seems like in the aviation world, all job are 'unsafe'. If there is one place to go work, it would be for the gov. I dont see the need for FAA to ever go away so ur job should always be safe. As for job info, check this out....

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos108.htm

Answer 2

Refer to the chart this link points to. Keep in mind that in many areas of the country locality pay will add approximately 12 - 30 percent to the pay:

https://employees.faa.gov/employee_servi...

ZLA (Los Angeles ARTCC) recently was made a level 12 facility which makes it an "L" band.

(Shameless cut and paste) explanation of the chart:

At the top of the pay scale are nine columns numbered from 4 to 12. They represent the facility complexity level.

On the left side of the page is the Career Level column. This column represents your progression through the training program. It has been divided into five sections described below:

AG: Initial hire pay grade. This is the pay grade that all off-the-street (OFTS) and Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) students will be paid AFTER they graduate from the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. Veteran Military controllers hired under the VRA program will begin this pay grade on the first day of class at the FAA Academy. All Academy students will receive per diem pay to help cover the cost of food and lodging while you are in Oklahoma City.

D1: This is the first pay raise. AFTER you have completed 25% of the training requirements at your duty facility, you will be promoted to this pay band. ARTCC controllers: this is after you are certified on 2-3 D-Sides in your area. Terminal controllers: Sorry...don't have an answer for you.

D2: This the second pay raise. AFTER you have completed 50% of the training requirements at your duty facility, you will be promoted to this pay band. ARTCC controllers: this is after you are certified on ALL D-Sides in your area.

D3: This is the third pay raise. AFTER you have completed 75% of the training requirements at your duty facility, you will be promoted to this pay band. ARTCC controllers: this is after you have completed radar school, and are certified on 2-3 radar positions.

CPC: This is the final pay raise you will receive when you have completed the training program.