Air traffic controllers and related occupations
Also called: Air traffic coordinator, Air traffic control chief, Air traffic control officer, Head air traffic controller, Air traffic controller (atc), Chief air traffic controller, Air traffic control assistant, Airport air traffic controller, Enroute air traffic controller, Tower controller - air traffic, Terminal air traffic controller, Visual flight rules air traffic controller
Air traffic controllers direct air traffic within assigned airspace, and control moving aircraft and service vehicles at airports. Flight service specialists provide pilots with flight information essential to aviation safety. Flight dispatchers authorize airline flights over assigned routes. Air traffic controllers and flight service specialists are employed by NAV Canada and the Canadian Forces. Flight dispatchers are employed by airline and air services companies and by the Canadian Forces.
Main tasks
- Air traffic controllers
- Control flow of air traffic within assigned airspace using radar monitors, radio and other communication equipment and visual references
- Issue aircraft takeoff and landing instructions to pilots and relay meteorological, navigational and other information to pilots in flight
- Maintain radio and telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units and other area control centres, and coordinate movement of aircraft into adjoining areas
- Alert airport emergency services when aircraft are experiencing difficulties and report missing aircraft to search and rescue services
- Direct activities of all moving aircraft and service vehicles on or near airport runways
- Flight service specialists
- Provide pre-flight information concerning current and forecast weather conditions, radio frequencies, terrain, airports and related data to assist pilots in preparation of flight plans
How to become one
Completion of secondary school is required. A basic radio telephone operator's licence is required. Air traffic controllers and flight service specialists require completion of a NAV Canada training program which includes structured in-class and on-the-job training. Air traffic controllers require an air traffic controller's licence. Flight dispatchers may require experience in air traffic control or flight operations and may require a private pilot's licence.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 32% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Air transportation; Business administration, management and operations; Business/commerce, general.
- Licence or registration: A basic radio telephone operator's licence is required. Air traffic controllers require an air traffic controller's licence. Flight dispatchers may require experience in air traffic control or flight operations and may require a private pilot's licence.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $107,016 a year
- About 4,600 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 5,100 are projected by 2033. (+10.9%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
- Deck officers, water transport
- Engineer officers, water transport
- Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
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Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03