Air Traffic Controllers
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 53-2021.00
Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport, and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers, according to established procedures and policies. Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Moderate· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.31
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Show 22 hidden tasks23 rated tasks · 14 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (60.9%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- 1 rated task is not in the O*NET 31.0 task list; its score is kept as published for O*NET 27.2.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
| Task (O*NET 30.2) | Claude.aiRaw / share % | APIRaw / share % |
|---|---|---|
Review records or reports for clarity and completeness and maintain records or reports, as required under federal law.53-2021.00 | 0.0100100.0 | 0.2300100.0 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Review records or reports for clarity and completeness and maintain records or reports, as required under federal law.O*NET Task ID 12748 | 1.0 |
Complete daily activity reports and keep records of messages from aircraft.O*NET Task ID 12749 | 1.0 |
Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.O*NET Task ID 12730 | 0.5 |
Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.O*NET Task ID 12731 | 0.5 |
Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes.O*NET Task ID 12737 | 0.5 |
Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement.O*NET Task ID 12738 | 0.5 |
Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information.O*NET Task ID 12739 | 0.5 |
Initiate or coordinate searches for missing aircraft.O*NET Task ID 12740 | 0.5 |
Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots' requests for altitude changes.O*NET Task ID 12741 | 0.5 |
Relay air traffic information, such as courses, altitudes, or expected arrival times, to control centers.O*NET Task ID 12742 | 0.5 |
Compile information about flights from flight plans, pilot reports, radar, or observations.O*NET Task ID 12743 | 0.5 |
Conduct pre-flight briefings on weather conditions, suggested routes, altitudes, indications of turbulence, or other flight safety information.O*NET Task ID 12745 | 0.5 |
Analyze factors such as weather reports, fuel requirements, or maps to determine air routes.O*NET Task ID 12746 | 0.5 |
Organize flight plans or traffic management plans to prepare for planes about to enter assigned airspace.O*NET Task ID 12747 | 0.5 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (23)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions. | Core |
| Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references. | Core |
| Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems. | Core |
| Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations. | Core |
| Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties. | Core |
| Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land. | Core |
| Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights. | Core |
| Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes. | Core |
| Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement. | Core |
| Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information. | Core |
| Initiate or coordinate searches for missing aircraft. | Core |
| Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots' requests for altitude changes. | Core |
| Relay air traffic information, such as courses, altitudes, or expected arrival times, to control centers. | Core |
| Compile information about flights from flight plans, pilot reports, radar, or observations. | Core |
| Inspect, adjust, or control radio equipment or airport lights. | Core |
| Conduct pre-flight briefings on weather conditions, suggested routes, altitudes, indications of turbulence, or other flight safety information. | Core |
| Analyze factors such as weather reports, fuel requirements, or maps to determine air routes. | Core |
| Organize flight plans or traffic management plans to prepare for planes about to enter assigned airspace. | Core |
| Complete daily activity reports and keep records of messages from aircraft. | Core |
| Provide on-the-job training to new air traffic controllers. | Core |
| Monitor, direct, or sequence the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety. | Core |
| Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance or baggage vehicles, or airport workers. | Supplemental |
| Review records or reports for clarity and completeness and maintain records or reports, as required under federal law. | Supplemental |
0.00/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
None of this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks is classified as a physical task.
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 24K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 24K
- Change (2025–35)
- +1.7%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $148,080
- Typical education needed for entry
- Associate's degree
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23831 | 항공교통 관제사 | Same scope | confirmed |
| 23832 | 선박교통 관제사 | Related, not a match | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 3154Air Traffic Controllers
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Air traffic controllers direct aircraft movements in airspace and on the ground, using radio, radar and lighting systems, and provide information relevant to the operation of aircraft.
Tasks
- (a) directing and controlling aircraft approaching and leaving airport and their movement on the ground;
- (b) directing and controlling aircraft operating in designated airspace sector;
- (c) examining and approving flight plans;
- (d) informing flight crew and operations staff about weather conditions, operational facilities, flight plans and air traffic;
- (e) applying knowledge of principles and practices of air traffic control in order to identify and solve problems arising in the course of their work;
- (f) initiating and organizing emergency, search and rescue services and procedures;
- (g) directing activities of all aircraft and service vehicles on or near airport runways;
- (h) maintaining radio and telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units and other control centres, and coordinating the movement of aircraft into adjoining areas.
Example occupations
Air traffic controller
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- air traffic controllerESCO 3154.1Same scope
Air traffic controllers assist pilots by providing information concerning the height, speed and course. They assist pilots in order to facilitate a safe take off and landing of aircrafts. They are responsible for maintaining a secure and orderly movement of aircraft along major air routes up in the sky and around airports. They control air traffic in and within vicinity of airports according to established procedures and policies to prevent collisions and to minimise delays arising from traffic congestion.
- aeronautical information service officerESCO 3154.1.1This occupation is broader
Aeronautical information service officers maintain the operational timing from sunrise to sunset in order to ensure that the information passed by agencies is authentic. They strive to ensure safety, regularity and efficiency.
- aeronautical information specialistESCO 3154.1.2This occupation is broader
Aeronautical information specialists provide high quality aeronautical information management services through technological means. They provide support to senior aeronautical information specialists and assess changes in aeronautical information affecting charts and other products. They answer requests of aeronautical data needs for airway companies operational groups and systems.
- aircraft dispatcherESCO 4323.2This occupation is broader
Aircraft dispatchers authorise, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to governmental and company regulations. They expedite and ensure flight flow by preparing logs of flights, delays, cancellations, and changes in schedules or flight plans.
- air traffic managerESCO 1324.2Overlapping, not the same
Air traffic managers coordinate the planning of ground control, the maintenance of the aircrafts, and the handling of customers. They strive for the most efficient use of resources in directing the aircraft. They manage safety, quality, and risks in everyday work. They also plan and compare performance with other air navigation service providers.
- airport operations officerESCO 3154.1.3Overlapping, not the same
Airport operations officers perform supervisory and administrative work monitoring operational activities on an assigned shift at a large airport. They ensure the safe take-off and landing of aircrafts
- flight operations officerESCO 3154.3Overlapping, not the same
Flight operations officers compile flight information to expedite movement of aircraft between and through airports. They compile aircraft dispatch data such as scheduled arrival and departure times at checkpoints and scheduled stops, amount of fuel needed for flight, and maximum allowable gross take-off and landing weight.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| N2202 | Contrôleur aérien / Contrôleuse aérienne | Same scopeprovisional |
| K1742 | Contrôleur / Contrôleuse des espaces maritimes | Related, not a match |
| N2208 | Contrôleur / Contrôleuse de la circulation et de la défense aérienne | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 3154 | Controladores de tráfico aéreo | Same scopeprovisional |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 51533 | Berufe in der Überwachung und Steuerung des Luftverkehrsbetriebs - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Same scope |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 246 | 通信機器操作従事者 | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources