FAA Careers for Veterans: Complete Guide to Federal Aviation Administration

If you controlled aircraft in the military, the FAA is your natural civilian destination. The Federal Aviation Administration needs your skills—and has special hiring programs specifically for military air traffic controllers.

The FAA employs over 45,000 people operating the world's largest and safest aviation system. For veterans with aviation backgrounds, particularly air traffic control, FAA offers excellent careers with competitive pay and early retirement.

Why FAA for Veterans?

Direct Skill Application

Military aviation experience is directly applicable:

• Air traffic control transfers directly
• Aviation maintenance experience valued
• Flight operations knowledge
• Safety culture familiarity

Military ATC Priority

FAA actively recruits military controllers:

• Prior experience hiring pathway
• Skills transfer directly
• Training time reduced
• Premium on military ATC backgrounds

Excellent Compensation

ATC positions among highest-paid federal jobs:

• $100,000-$200,000+ possible
• Location premium pay
• Excellent benefits
• Early retirement option

FAA Career Areas

Air Traffic Control

The highest-profile FAA career:

Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS):

• En Route Centers (ARTCC)
• Terminal Radar (TRACON)
• Airport Towers
• Flight Service

Aviation Safety

Oversight and regulation:

Aviation Safety Inspector:

• Flight operations
• Airworthiness
• Avionics
• Cabin safety

Certification Specialists:

• Aircraft certification
• Airman certification
• Organization certification

Technical Operations

Technology and systems:

Airway Transportation Systems Specialist (ATSS):

• Navigation systems
• Communication systems
• Radar systems
• Automation systems

Electronics Engineers:

• System design
• Modernization
• Technical support

Other Areas

Flight Standards:

• Regulatory enforcement
• Pilot certification
• Operator oversight

Security and Hazardous Materials:

• Aviation security
• Hazmat transportation
• Cargo security

Administrative:

• Program management
• IT support
• Human resources
• Finance

Air Traffic Controller Path

The Most Common Veteran Path

Military ATC → FAA ATC is well-established:

Military ATC Experience Accepted:

• Army (15Q)
• Navy (AC)
• Air Force (1C1X1)
• Marine Corps (7257)
• Coast Guard (similar specialty)

ATC Hiring Tracks

Prior Experience:

• Military controllers qualify
• Reduced training time
• Direct path to operational positions

CTI (Collegiate Training Initiative):

• FAA-approved schools
• Foundational training
• Entry pathway

Off-the-Street (OTS):

• No experience required
• Age limit 30
• Full training required

ATC Requirements

Age:

• Prior experience: Under 36 at hire
• OTS: Under 31 at hire
• Must retire at 56

Citizenship:

• U.S. citizen

Security:

• Background investigation
• Drug testing
• Security clearance

Medical:

• FAA Class 2 medical certificate
• Vision and hearing standards
• No disqualifying conditions

Experience (for Prior Experience track):

• 52 weeks of ATC experience
• Within 5 years of application
• Military ATC qualifies

ATC Hiring Process

Step 1: Application

• Through USAJOBS or FAA careers
• Verify prior experience eligibility

Step 2: Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA)

• Cognitive and aptitude testing
• May be waived for military controllers

Step 3: Interview/Review

• Experience verification
• Panel interview possible

Step 4: Medical

• FAA medical examination
• Drug testing
• Psychological evaluation

Step 5: Security

• Background investigation
• Clearance determination

Step 6: Training

• FAA Academy (Oklahoma City)
• Facility-specific training
• On-the-job training
• Certification process

ATC Training

FAA Academy (Oklahoma City):

• 2-5 months depending on track
• Academics and simulation
• Prior experience track shorter

Facility Training:

• Facility-specific procedures
• On-position training
• 1-3 years to full certification
• Progressive certification levels

Air Traffic Controller Salary

Pay Structure

ATC uses unique pay system:

Core Compensation:

• Base pay varies by facility
• Premium pay for location/staffing
• Locality adjustments

Pay by Facility Level

Facilities are categorized by complexity (Level 4-12):

Level	Base Pay Range	With Premiums
Level 5	$60,000-$90,000	$80,000-$120,000
Level 7	$70,000-$100,000	$95,000-$140,000
Level 9	$80,000-$120,000	$110,000-$160,000
Level 11	$90,000-$140,000	$130,000-$185,000
Level 12	$100,000-$160,000	$150,000-$200,000+

Premium Pay

Location premium: Staffing shortages = higher pay Night/weekend differentials: Standard federal differentials Overtime: Frequently available

Highest-Paid Facilities

Major TRACONs and Centers:

• New York TRACON
• Southern California TRACON
• Atlanta Center
• Chicago Center
• Dallas/Fort Worth TRACON

Controllers at major facilities routinely exceed $150,000.

Aviation Safety Inspector

Strong Fit for Aviation Veterans

Military aviation experience applies:

Flight Operations Inspector:

• Pilot experience required
• Certificate holders' oversight
• Check rides and evaluations

Airworthiness Inspector:

• A&P certificate required
• Maintenance oversight
• Aircraft certification

Requirements

Education:

• Varies by specialty
• Aviation degree helpful

Experience:

• Pilot certificates and ratings
• A&P certification
• Military aviation experience counts

Physical:

• Medical certification requirements
• Less stringent than ATC

Salary

GS scale with locality:

Grade	DC Area
GS-9	$68,405
GS-11	$82,764
GS-12	$99,200
GS-13	$117,962
GS-14	$139,395

Technical Operations

Airway Transportation Systems Specialist (ATSS)

What they do:

• Install and maintain aviation systems
• Navigation aids
• Radar systems
• Communication equipment

Requirements:

• Electronics/technical background
• Military avionics experience applicable
• FCC license helpful

Salary: FG pay scale (competitive with GS)

Military fit: Avionics technicians, radar technicians, communications specialists

Electronics Engineers

What they do:

• Design aviation systems
• Modernization programs
• Technical analysis

Requirements:

• Engineering degree
• Technical experience

Salary: GS-11 to GS-15 ($82K-$180K+ with locality)

FAA Locations

Air Traffic Facilities

Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC):

• 21 centers nationwide
• En route (high altitude) control
• Large facilities, many controllers

Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON):

• Major metropolitan areas
• Approach and departure control
• High complexity facilities

Airport Traffic Control Towers:

• At airports nationwide
• Hundreds of facilities
• Varying sizes and complexity

Flight Service:

• Pilot briefings
• Flight plans
• Weather information

Regional Offices

Nine FAA regions:

• Alaskan
• Central
• Eastern
• Great Lakes
• New England
• Northwest Mountain
• Southern
• Southwest
• Western-Pacific

Headquarters

Washington, DC area:

• Policy and management
• Administrative functions
• Technical centers

Military Experience Advantages

ATC Background

Military ATC is directly applicable:

• Same fundamental skills
• Phraseology similar
• Radar experience
• Certification understood

Specific advantages:

• Shorter training time
• Prior experience hiring track
• Demonstrated capability
• Security clearance compatibility

Aviation Maintenance

Military maintainers valued:

• A&P pathway while serving possible
• Technical experience applicable
• Safety culture familiar

Pilots

Military pilots can become:

• Aviation Safety Inspectors
• Flight test pilots
• Standards and training roles

General Aviation Background

Even non-specific aviation:

• Safety culture
• Team operations
• Technical aptitude
• Discipline

ATC Career Progression

Certification Levels

Developmental:

• Training status
• Progressive certification
• Supervised operations

Certified Professional Controller (CPC):

• Full certification
• Independent operations
• Full pay level

Supervisor/Manager:

• Facility management
• Training supervision
• Operations oversight

Facility Progression

Many controllers advance by:

• Moving to higher-level facilities
• Higher complexity = higher pay
• Geographic mobility helps

Management Track

Operations Manager:

• Facility supervision
• Administrative role
• Less controlling

Staff and Policy:

• Regional and HQ positions
• Policy development
• Program management

Application Tips

For ATC Positions

Verify eligibility:

• Prior experience within 5 years
• Age requirements
• Medical eligibility

Documentation:

• Military certifications
• Training records
• Performance documentation
• DD-214

Application:

• USAJOBS or FAA careers
• Prior experience announcement
• Complete all requirements

For Other Positions

• Standard federal resume
• Emphasize aviation experience
• Relevant certifications
• Veterans preference (for GS positions)

Medical Preparation

Before applying:

• Know your medical status
• Address any conditions
• FAA medical requirements strict

Benefits Highlights

Early Retirement

ATC retirement:

• Mandatory retirement at 56
• Can retire at 50 with 20 years ATC
• Or at any age with 25 years ATC
• Enhanced retirement calculation

Compensation Package

Total value:

• High base pay (especially at major facilities)
• Excellent benefits
• Early retirement eligibility
• Stable federal employment

The Bottom Line

FAA offers veterans:

• Direct application of military ATC experience
• Highest-paying federal careers at major facilities
• Early retirement option for controllers
• Strong veteran hiring programs
• Meaningful work in aviation safety

For military air traffic controllers, FAA is the logical continuation of your career at significantly higher pay.

Apply at faa.gov/jobs or USAJOBS.gov

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Interested in other technical federal careers? Explore NASA or DOE.