Air Traffic Controller Pay Scale

[Vigo]

Hello,

Hopefully this is an acceptable forum and section to post this to. I feel like my question might come off as a bit snobby, but it is important and something that I sort of need to know in order to make a decision about this.

I have a tentative offer of employment as an Air Traffic Control Specialist at the Juneau Flight Service Station in Juneau, AK. I have started the process (background, fingerprints, drug test, etc.) but am questioning whether this is really a good idea.

I have worked as a law enforcement dispatcher for the last seven years and applied to the ATCS job because it seemed like a good logical move up to go to the next level and keep growing. Websites always talk about how Air Traffic Controllers make around $120,000 or more as well, which would be more than I could ever make as a dispatcher.

However, in the job offer once I get out of training the pay is $40,000 plus locality which comes out to a yearly salary of $54,000. On top of that I would have to move to Alaska. This pay is not what I was expecting and about $30,000 below what I already make as a dispatcher.

If this is something where you have to start off super low but within couple years you quickly move up to the higher pay - then that is okay. I am willing to work for a bit to build up to something where the pay is much more comfortable.

But I have a feeling that this isn’t going to be the case.

Is this type of salary something that is expected for an ATC? Does this salary move up or will I be making this for several years (in which case, it doesn’t really make any sense to take this job)?

Thanks for any input!

 

[A2J]

Hello,

Hopefully this is an acceptable forum and section to post this to. I feel like my question might come off as a bit snobby, but it is important and something that I sort of need to know in order to make a decision about this.

I have a tentative offer of employment as an Air Traffic Control Specialist at the Juneau Flight Service Station in Juneau, AK. I have started the process (background, fingerprints, drug test, etc.) but am questioning whether this is really a good idea.

I have worked as a law enforcement dispatcher for the last seven years and applied to the ATCS job because it seemed like a good logical move up to go to the next level and keep growing. Websites always talk about how Air Traffic Controllers make around $120,000 or more as well, which would be more than I could ever make as a dispatcher.

However, in the job offer once I get out of training the pay is $40,000 plus locality which comes out to a yearly salary of $54,000. On top of that I would have to move to Alaska. This pay is not what I was expecting and about $30,000 below what I already make as a dispatcher.

If this is something where you have to start off super low but within couple years you quickly move up to the higher pay - then that is okay. I am willing to work for a bit to build up to something where the pay is much more comfortable.

But I have a feeling that this isn’t going to be the case.

Is this type of salary something that is expected for an ATC? Does this salary move up or will I be making this for several years (in which case, it doesn’t really make any sense to take this job)?

Thanks for any input!

Centers skew the median average for air traffic controllers. Plus, it is a flight service station so that may factor into it as well.

 

[POINTOUT]

Hello,

Hopefully this is an acceptable forum and section to post this to. I feel like my question might come off as a bit snobby, but it is important and something that I sort of need to know in order to make a decision about this.

I have a tentative offer of employment as an Air Traffic Control Specialist at the Juneau Flight Service Station in Juneau, AK. I have started the process (background, fingerprints, drug test, etc.) but am questioning whether this is really a good idea.

I have worked as a law enforcement dispatcher for the last seven years and applied to the ATCS job because it seemed like a good logical move up to go to the next level and keep growing. Websites always talk about how Air Traffic Controllers make around $120,000 or more as well, which would be more than I could ever make as a dispatcher.

However, in the job offer once I get out of training the pay is $40,000 plus locality which comes out to a yearly salary of $54,000. On top of that I would have to move to Alaska. This pay is not what I was expecting and about $30,000 below what I already make as a dispatcher.

If this is something where you have to start off super low but within couple years you quickly move up to the higher pay - then that is okay. I am willing to work for a bit to build up to something where the pay is much more comfortable.

But I have a feeling that this isn’t going to be the case.

Is this type of salary something that is expected for an ATC? Does this salary move up or will I be making this for several years (in which case, it doesn’t really make any sense to take this job)?

Thanks for any input!

Flight service is not ATC

 

[Rx]

Hello,

Hopefully this is an acceptable forum and section to post this to. I feel like my question might come off as a bit snobby, but it is important and something that I sort of need to know in order to make a decision about this.

I have a tentative offer of employment as an Air Traffic Control Specialist at the Juneau Flight Service Station in Juneau, AK. I have started the process (background, fingerprints, drug test, etc.) but am questioning whether this is really a good idea.

I have worked as a law enforcement dispatcher for the last seven years and applied to the ATCS job because it seemed like a good logical move up to go to the next level and keep growing. Websites always talk about how Air Traffic Controllers make around $120,000 or more as well, which would be more than I could ever make as a dispatcher.

However, in the job offer once I get out of training the pay is $40,000 plus locality which comes out to a yearly salary of $54,000. On top of that I would have to move to Alaska. This pay is not what I was expecting and about $30,000 below what I already make as a dispatcher.

If this is something where you have to start off super low but within couple years you quickly move up to the higher pay - then that is okay. I am willing to work for a bit to build up to something where the pay is much more comfortable.

But I have a feeling that this isn’t going to be the case.

Is this type of salary something that is expected for an ATC? Does this salary move up or will I be making this for several years (in which case, it doesn’t really make any sense to take this job)?

Thanks for any input!

Flight Service is 2152 so technically ATC but different to say the least. As far as pay goes, your success in training will determine it. Flight Data at Centers, which is 2154 makes around $70k+ a year. My guess is after full certification you may earn a little more over that. It’s tough to find pay info on Flight Service online. Every once in a while they post a vacancy on here. Try this link, hope it works.

Flight Service Specialist Pay Tables | Federal Aviation Administration

www.faa.gov

Also, there may be an opportunity for you to apply for ‘actual’ ATC work down the road. A few people have gone from flight service to centers/towers for higher pay ?

 

[Soul_Controller]

Looks like your pay will actually be 80,000. The 54000 looks like academy grad pay.

The real problem is that there isn't any way to get from the flight service side to the controller side. So you'd be stuck in Alaska your entire career.

 

[Vigo]

Thank you for that info everyone - that makes much more sense now. I was not aware of the difference between the ATC and the Flight Service side of things, but that explains why the job didn’t seem to be adding up.

 

[32andBelow]

Centers skew the median average for air traffic controllers. Plus, it is a flight service station so that may factor into it as well.

Ive heard Juneau radio tops out above Juneau tower.

 

[Rozzay]

Flight Service is 2152 so technically ATC but different to say the least. As far as pay goes, your success in training will determine it. Flight Data at Centers, which is 2154 makes around $70k+ a year. My guess is after full certification you may earn a little more over that. It’s tough to find pay info on Flight Service online. Every once in a while they post a vacancy on here. Try this link, hope it works.

Flight Service Specialist Pay Tables | Federal Aviation Administration

www.faa.gov

Also, there may be an opportunity for you to apply for ‘actual’ ATC work down the road. A few people have gone from flight service to centers/towers for higher pay ?

Is FG-2152-03 still Flight Service???

 

[ThatJanGirl]

Is FG-2152-03 still Flight Service???

Thank you for that info everyone - that makes much more sense now. I was not aware of the difference between the ATC and the Flight Service side of things, but that explains why the job didn’t seem to be adding up.

I recd same letter for Fairbanks and agree that the pay seems oddly low, but this post is helpful. Have you decided what you are going to do?

 

[TushingPin]

Flight Service is 2152 so technically ATC but different to say the least. As far as pay goes, your success in training will determine it. Flight Data at Centers, which is 2154 makes around $70k+ a year. My guess is after full certification you may earn a little more over that. It’s tough to find pay info on Flight Service online. Every once in a while they post a vacancy on here. Try this link, hope it works.

Flight Service Specialist Pay Tables | Federal Aviation Administration

www.faa.gov

Also, there may be an opportunity for you to apply for ‘actual’ ATC work down the road. A few people have gone from flight service to centers/towers for higher pay ?

Last I checked.... almost no one has gone from FSS to ATC. It may be the same job series, FSS is not ATC. I have heard FSS makes 6 figures, but that is with differentials, holiday pay, per diem etc. To clarify here though, FSS is NOT ATC. And the path back is supposedly borderline impossible. I have also heard FSS is a good gig as long as you don't mind Alaska.

 

[32andBelow]

Last I checked.... almost no one has gone from FSS to ATC. It may be the same job series, FSS is not ATC. I have heard FSS makes 6 figures, but that is with differentials, holiday pay, per diem etc. To clarify here though, FSS is NOT ATC. And the path back is supposedly borderline impossible. I have also heard FSS is a good gig as long as you don't mind Alaska.

It’s actually written that they are supposed to be able to but natca isn’t fighting to get it into ncept

 

[Jay-Jay Jet Plane]

2 Things
First, as others have mentioned, Flight Service is not ATC, despite also being 2152. I'm not sure how the transfer from FSS to ATSC would work or if its even possible.
Second, having been there, I'd avoid Juneau like the plague. Its completely landlocked and you literally cannot get to it without getting on a boat or airplane. Because of that, its wildly expensive, so regardless of what your pay is going to be, its unrealistic. Its super remote and I personally would never go there. Theres a reason Juneau Tower is on every single selection list as voluntary...

 

[MJ]

Its completely landlocked

you literally cannot get to it without getting on a boat or airplane

land·locked
/ˈlan(d)ˌläkt/
adjective
adjective: landlocked; adjective: land-locked

1. (especially of a country) almost or entirely surrounded by land; having no coastline or seaport.
   "a midget state landlocked in the mountains"
   • (of a lake) enclosed by land and having no navigable route to the sea.
     "a chain of landlocked lagoons"
   • (of a fish, especially a North American salmon) cut off from the sea in the past and now confined to fresh water.
     "Maine's landlocked sebago salmon"

 

[Bandit117]

Hello,

Hopefully this is an acceptable forum and section to post this to. I feel like my question might come off as a bit snobby, but it is important and something that I sort of need to know in order to make a decision about this.

I have a tentative offer of employment as an Air Traffic Control Specialist at the Juneau Flight Service Station in Juneau, AK. I have started the process (background, fingerprints, drug test, etc.) but am questioning whether this is really a good idea.

I have worked as a law enforcement dispatcher for the last seven years and applied to the ATCS job because it seemed like a good logical move up to go to the next level and keep growing. Websites always talk about how Air Traffic Controllers make around $120,000 or more as well, which would be more than I could ever make as a dispatcher.

However, in the job offer once I get out of training the pay is $40,000 plus locality which comes out to a yearly salary of $54,000. On top of that I would have to move to Alaska. This pay is not what I was expecting and about $30,000 below what I already make as a dispatcher.

If this is something where you have to start off super low but within couple years you quickly move up to the higher pay - then that is okay. I am willing to work for a bit to build up to something where the pay is much more comfortable.

But I have a feeling that this isn’t going to be the case.

Is this type of salary something that is expected for an ATC? Does this salary move up or will I be making this for several years (in which case, it doesn’t really make any sense to take this job)?

Thanks for any input!

Flight service isn’t exactly air traffic control. There is no way for a flight service person to transfer to a regular ATC facility, even a low level tower. If you’re taking a 30k pay cut, pass on it and stay in dispatch

 

[J-one-s]

Hello,

Hopefully this is an acceptable forum and section to post this to. I feel like my question might come off as a bit snobby, but it is important and something that I sort of need to know in order to make a decision about this.

I have a tentative offer of employment as an Air Traffic Control Specialist at the Juneau Flight Service Station in Juneau, AK. I have started the process (background, fingerprints, drug test, etc.) but am questioning whether this is really a good idea.

I have worked as a law enforcement dispatcher for the last seven years and applied to the ATCS job because it seemed like a good logical move up to go to the next level and keep growing. Websites always talk about how Air Traffic Controllers make around $120,000 or more as well, which would be more than I could ever make as a dispatcher.

However, in the job offer once I get out of training the pay is $40,000 plus locality which comes out to a yearly salary of $54,000. On top of that I would have to move to Alaska. This pay is not what I was expecting and about $30,000 below what I already make as a dispatcher.

If this is something where you have to start off super low but within couple years you quickly move up to the higher pay - then that is okay. I am willing to work for a bit to build up to something where the pay is much more comfortable.

But I have a feeling that this isn’t going to be the case.

Is this type of salary something that is expected for an ATC? Does this salary move up or will I be making this for several years (in which case, it doesn’t really make any sense to take this job)?

Thanks for any input!

What you are hearing is correct. CURRENTLY there is no way to ATC from AK FSS. But it may be a good option while you wait. You can start your leave clock, your NATCA seniority clock. I know someone from Kenai FSS who applied for an atc job, he just finished the okc academy, and he's now at some tower in Louisiana.

I'm at JNU FSS, and if pay is what you're worried about, you need to remember 85k is BASE salary without CIC(controller in charge), night diff, sunday diff. I certified in march(so no OT before that) and I made 123k by the end of the year. BUT that was with quite a bit of OT after march. So that meant I had to bring my novel ALL the way to work, to read it. Also we're on straight schedules. Not rotating, so that's easy on the body.

Being in Juneau is rough though. its pretty isolated from the rest of the world. Housing is a bit pricey, but the scenery is cool. As far as the weather goes, it's not bad. Its January right now, rainy, and the days are in the 40s. the winters are mild. more like Seattle than Anchorage. But its not for everyone.

EDIT: I forgot to add, the cert time isn't very long at FSS. you go to the "academy" for about 5 months, then once you get to JNU, you get certed on a very easy position and that puts you at ~75k, then you train for about 7 months and then you're fully certed making 85k base. If you don't want OT... with holiday pay, CIC diff, sunday diff you'd be at about 100k. the night diff might be hard to get because that schedule is desired. If you DO want OT, its ~60/hr, without including any differentials. And its not hard to hit 400 hrs a year.

 

[TushingPin]

What you are hearing is correct. CURRENTLY there is no way to ATC from AK FSS. But it may be a good option while you wait. You can start your leave clock, your NATCA seniority clock. I know someone from Kenai FSS who applied for an atc job, he just finished the okc academy, and he's now at some tower in Louisiana.

I'm at JNU FSS, and if pay is what you're worried about, you need to remember 85k is BASE salary without CIC(controller in charge), night diff, sunday diff. I certified in march(so no OT before that) and I made 123k by the end of the year. BUT that was with quite a bit of OT after march. So that meant I had to bring my novel ALL the way to work, to read it. Also we're on straight schedules. Not rotating, so that's easy on the body.

Being in Juneau is rough though. its pretty isolated from the rest of the world. Housing is a bit pricey, but the scenery is cool. As far as the weather goes, it's not bad. Its January right now, rainy, and the days are in the 40s. the winters are mild. more like Seattle than Anchorage. But its not for everyone.

EDIT: I forgot to add, the cert time isn't very long at FSS. you go to the "academy" for about 5 months, then once you get to JNU, you get certed on a very easy position and that puts you at ~75k, then you train for about 7 months and then you're fully certed making 85k base. If you don't want OT... with holiday pay, CIC diff, sunday diff you'd be at about 100k. the night diff might be hard to get because that schedule is desired. If you DO want OT, its ~60/hr, without including any differentials. And its not hard to hit 400 hrs a year.

Why's the night shift the desired schedule?

 

[J-one-s]

Why's the night shift the desired schedule?

Sorry, I should've specified. By night shift, i meant afternoon shift.
And it's liked because of extra Night diff and its away from management. And some people like to sleep in. Mids are even harder to get, for the same reason. And there's only one person in the building on mids(except for the one day they overlap), so the guys on those lines also get CIC for most of their shift.

 

[Rx]

Last I checked.... almost no one has gone from FSS to ATC. It may be the same job series, FSS is not ATC. I have heard FSS makes 6 figures, but that is with differentials, holiday pay, per diem etc. To clarify here though, FSS is NOT ATC. And the path back is supposedly borderline impossible. I have also heard FSS is a good gig as long as you don't mind Alaska.

Good thing you said “almost no one” because you truly don’t know. It’s okay to not be familiar with all the intricate ways people maneuver throughout the NAS. You don’t know what you don’t know. I can see your mind is stuck on NCEPT.

 

[ThatJanGirl]

If you don't mind my asking, why do they say your pay is so low in the offer letter? Was it that way for you as well? Training is $42k including locality and once stationed is 57k. I rec'd my offer letter for Fairbanks FSS. It seems very confusing. I'm not sure why anyone would go?

 

[ZO]

If you don't mind my asking, why do they say your pay is so low in the offer letter? Was it that way for you as well? Training is $42k including locality and once stationed is 57k. I rec'd my offer letter for Fairbanks FSS. It seems very confusing. I'm not sure why anyone would go?

Knowing nothing about FSS, the guy above stated it's a similar pay structure to ATC. You have your OKC pay which I assume is the $42k. Then a slight bump to $57k after successful completion of OKC. And then you get pay increases for position(s) certification until you are fully certified.