What are the different ATC grades?

Question

I came across something about ATC "grades", but I cant find anything about it online, what exactly are they? Just for pay or are they job related, or a mix? Examples would be great.

Answer 1

I think you are referring to pay grade? Like GS-10,11,12 etc?

That is just their pay grade according to how many promotions and years in the government. Is this what you mean? Hope it helps!

Jonathan S

ATP-LRJET,HS-125,G-V

CFI/AGI

Answer 2

where did you come across it? I think it means Air Traffic Controller.... go here to read some more..

http://www.opm.gov/fedclass/gs2152.pdf

Answer 3

I believe the ATC grades you are referring to are actually facility levels.  Controllers were removed from the GS scale several years ago.  The levels are based primarily on the volume of traffic handled.  The busiest facilities such as Atlanta TRACON  and New York Center are level 12 and the numbers go down from there.  Most centers are 11 or 12 as are most large TRACONs and the associated towers, and yes, pay at such facilities can top 100k.  If the pay sounds attractive, and you are younger than 31, be aware that the FAA is hiring . . .

The link posted by Kirk is dated 1978.  While the position descriptions and some other things are reasonably correct, there is much that has changed (including pay scale) over the last 30 years.