AC Rating Air Traffic Controller — Civilian Career Guide
Controls aircraft in Navy airspace. One of the highest-paying direct civilian career transfers — FAA actively recruits military controllers.
CAREER PATHS
4
TOP SALARY
$137,380.00
AVG SALARY
$98,690.00
Civilian Career Matches
Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Salaries are national medians — your area may vary.
FAA Air Traffic Controller
SOC 53-2021
$137,380.00
median/yr
Contract Tower Controller
SOC 53-2021
$137,380.00
median/yr
Flight Dispatcher
SOC 53-2022
$60,000.00
median/yr
Airfield Manager
SOC 53-2022
$60,000.00
median/yr
What's your next step?
You've got the civilian career picture. Now: pick what to tackle next. Most AC Air Traffic Controller veterans separating in the next 12 months should start here.
Do this first
Start your VA disability claim
File before separation. Every day = back-pay you can't recover. Free claims tracker covers 110+ conditions.
Where to settle
Compare 50 states for veterans
Property tax exemptions, no-state-income-tax states, healthcare access. Side-by-side comparisons.
12-month roadmap
Build your transition timeline
TAP class, VA enrollment, terminal leave, TSP, SkillBridge — all the deadlines no one tells you.
Quick calculator
Estimate your VA combined rating
The VA doesn't add ratings — they use a specific formula. See your combined rating in 30 seconds.
Skills That Transfer
Recommended Certifications
These certifications can increase your salary by 10-25% and make you more competitive for civilian roles.
How to pay for these — you likely don't pay out of pocket
- GI Bill: the Post-9/11 GI Bill reimburses licensing & certification test fees up to $2,000 per exam— and it doesn't use a full month of entitlement.
- While you're still in:your branch's Credentialing Assistance program can cover the full cost of many of these certs (often several thousand dollars a year) — check Navy COOL ↗ for what's funded and current amounts.
- Tip: start certs before you separate — Credentialing Assistance is only for currently-serving members; after separation you shift to the GI Bill.
VA conditions commonly associated with AC service
The documented noise, physical demands, and exposures of a Air Traffic Controller role are commonly linked to the conditions below. This is awareness of what this job can lead to, not a promise of a rating. The VA decides every claim on your own diagnosis and evidence. If you deal with any of these, here is how each is rated.
Repeated noise exposure without perfect hearing protection is extremely common.
See how it is rated →Weapons, engines, and flightline noise are the #1 driver of ringing in the ears.
See how it is rated →Rucking, lifting, and body armor load the spine for years.
See how it is rated →Overhead work and load-bearing strain the shoulders.
See how it is rated →Helmets, NODs, and overhead work load the neck.
See how it is rated →Smoke, fuels, solvents, and dust can trigger airway disease.
See how it is rated →Repetitive hand/keyboard or tool work compresses the wrist nerve.
See how it is rated →A free accredited VSO can help you file any of these at no cost. Never pay a fee or a percentage of your back pay for claim help.
Translate Your AC Experience to a Civilian Resume
Use our free resume builder to convert your Air Traffic Controller skills and experience into language civilian employers understand. Built specifically for Navy veterans.
AC Air Traffic Controller: Frequently Asked Questions
What does a AC Air Traffic Controller do?
Controls aircraft in Navy airspace. One of the highest-paying direct civilian career transfers — FAA actively recruits military controllers.
What civilian jobs can a AC Air Traffic Controller transition into?
Common civilian careers for a AC (Navy Rating) Air Traffic Controller include FAA Air Traffic Controller, Contract Tower Controller, Flight Dispatcher, and Airfield Manager. These roles draw on the same skills and experience you built in service — see the full skill-to-career mapping above.
How much does a AC Air Traffic Controller make in civilian work?
Civilian roles that match a AC Air Traffic Controller have median salaries ranging from about $60,000 to $137,380 per year, depending on the role, location, and your certifications and clearance. Figures are BLS median wage data for the matched occupations.
What certifications help a AC Air Traffic Controller land a civilian job?
Certifications that strengthen a AC Air Traffic Controller resume include FAA Control Tower Operator (CTO), and FAA ATC Certification. Many can be started before you separate, and several are covered by VA education benefits or credentialing programs.
What skills does a AC Air Traffic Controller bring to civilian employers?
Employers value the transferable skills a AC Air Traffic Controller develops, including Radar operation, Air traffic separation, Communication, Stress management, and Decision-making. Translating these into civilian terms on your resume is what turns military experience into interviews.
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