Air Traffic Controllers

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Air traffic controllers track planes on radar, give pilots instructions for takeoff, landing and routes, and keep aircraft safely apart. Most work for the FAA in towers, approach facilities and en route centers. The job is high-pressure and well paid.

Open the air traffic controller guide

The guide checks the courses against your plan, with things to try each year. Free account needed.

High school courses that build toward it

• English 10 · English

  Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.

• Physical Education · Health and PE

  Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.

• Child Development · Career and Technical

  Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.

• Pre-Algebra · Math

  Builds math, which this job uses.

• Human Geography · Social Studies

  Builds geography, which this job uses.

• Computer Science Principles · Computer Science

  Builds computers and electronics, which this job uses.

Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.