‘Supercharge’ Shaves Off Months From Hiring Process, Boosts Trainee Salary

Less than a month after US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced his plan to ‘supercharge’ air traffic controller hiring, the FAA has shared some promising initial numbers. The agency has already checked and referred more than 8,320 new candidates to the ATSA exam, with 190 already receiving a passing result.

As most already know, the FAA is painfully below marks on tower staffing. A recent report noted that it is 3,500 air traffic controllers short of its targeted level, with around 10% fewer controllers than it had in 2012. The problem comes when looking at these numbers next to air traffic, which has dramatically increased over the past decade (with the exception of the pandemic, of course) and hit a record high in 2024.

“This staffing shortage has been a known challenge for over a decade, and this administration is committed to solving it,” Duffy stated. “The new streamlined hiring process is just the first step to deliver on President Trump’s agenda to prioritize the American people’s safety and modernize the federal government.”

For the most part, Duffy’s plan was formed around two main changes: the hiring process and trainee salaries.

The FAA has accelerated its air traffic controller hiring process, reducing the timeline by nearly five months. Since the most recent application window closed on March 17, more than 8,320 candidates have qualified for the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) and over 190 are progressing to the next step.

Candidates who achieve the highest ATSA scores receive priority placement at the FAA Academy at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. Upon graduation, they are assigned to one of 313 FAA facilities nationwide, where they train under experienced controllers until they earn certification.

The FAA has also increased the starting salary for Academy trainees by 30 percent, inching them closer to the average $160,000 annual income earned by certified controllers.

“I’m thrilled to see that early results of air traffic controller hiring supercharge were so promising. By prioritizing a merit-based process, cutting red tape, and increasing starting salaries, we are bringing in the best and brightest across America to help keep our skies secure at record speeds,” said Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau.

FMI: www.faa.gov