The Federal Aviation Administration plans to hire at least 2,000 new air traffic controllers in 2025 and thousands more aviation safety inspectors and engineers over the next decade, after major policy changes announced on August 7–8, 2025. The moves aim to fix staffing gaps quickly while raising safety standards.
Officials say the plan responds to urgent needs after a serious accident in January 2025 and rapid changes in aviation technology. The FAA will speed hiring, expand training, and offer incentives for hard-to-staff locations, while President Trump has ordered a return to strict merit-based hiring across the agency.
What’s changing right now
- The FAA hired 1,811 controllers in fiscal year 2024, bringing the workforce to 14,264.
- In 2025, the FAA targets at least 2,000 controller hires, with a total of 8,900 through 2028.
- For aviation safety personnel, the agency plans about 4,600 safety inspectors and engineers through 2034.
- The hiring process for controllers has been cut from eight steps to five, trimming more than four months from time-to-hire.
- Student starting salaries are up nearly 30%, and new incentives will help fill high-need towers and centers.
- Training capacity is rising at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, including more contract instructors and simulation upgrades.
Key voices
- U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy: the agency needs “the best and brightest” to keep the system safe and keep the United States 🇺🇸 ahead in aerospace.
- FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford: cited fast-changing technology—drones, electric and hybrid aircraft, and AI systems—and said the workforce must be ready.
- President Trump: ordered a review of all FAA hiring and safety decisions from the last four years and directed the agency to return to merit-based hiring.
Controller hiring — step by step
If you’re considering a controller career in 2025, here’s the simplified five-step process:
- Application
- Apply through USAJobs with a resume and required documents (transcripts, veterans’ preference papers).
- Screening covers basic eligibility: age, education, and prior experience.
- Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA)
- Qualified applicants receive instructions to schedule the ATSA, a 3.5-hour test at a PearsonVUE site. It’s free.
- The test evaluates aptitude for quick thinking, focus, and teamwork. Aviation experience is not required.
- Clearances
- Complete medical and security steps: drug test, psychological evaluation (MMPI-2), medical exam, fingerprinting, and federal background check.
- FAA Academy
- Candidates who pass clearances attend required training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City.
- The agency is expanding classes and adding upgraded Tower Simulation Systems at 95 facilities to improve hands-on learning.
- Field Assignment
- Graduates receive assignments to towers, TRACONs, or centers.
- Incentives are available for high-need locations.
To learn more or watch for openings, check the FAA Air Traffic Controller Hiring Portal on faa.gov. The official USAJobs site lists current vacancies and application windows.
Aviation safety inspector and engineer roles
The FAA is also ramping up hiring of safety inspectors and engineers who oversee airlines, aircraft, repair stations, and training programs. These jobs often use Direct Hire Authority, allowing on-the-spot offers to speed onboarding.
Basic points:
– Eligibility: U.S. citizenship (for many roles), relevant certificates (for example, an Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate for some positions), and meeting medical and regulatory standards.
– Training: Can last up to 24 months, combining classroom and on-the-job learning.
– Incentives: Relocation and recruitment incentives are available, especially where hiring is difficult.
Applicants can find open positions and detailed requirements on USAJobs. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the use of direct hiring combined with relocation pay tends to shorten vacancy times and helps the agency place talent where needed most.
Why this matters for travelers and workers
- Faster hiring: Reducing steps speeds new controllers to the Academy and into facilities, which should help ease overtime and burnout for current staff.
- Higher standards: Returning to merit-based hiring emphasizes aptitude and technical skill, which safety advocates say can reduce errors.
- Better training: More instructors and modern simulators should help new hires manage complex airspace, including drones and urban air mobility.
- Pay and incentives: Higher starting salaries and bonuses for hard-to-staff sites may improve retention, a long-term challenge.
Industry and union reactions
- Airlines and manufacturers: Largely supportive, saying more controllers and inspectors can stabilize schedules and reduce staffing-related delays.
- Unions: Welcome faster hiring and higher pay but want stronger steps to reduce workload stress and improve scheduling, especially at busy centers.
- Safety groups: Support merit focus but warn that rapid hiring must not rush training or weaken oversight.
Real-world scenarios
- New graduate: A 22-year-old with a two-year degree passes the ATSA, clears checks, completes Academy training, and accepts an incentive to work at a high-need tower. Increased pay and bonuses make the move affordable.
- Veteran controller: A former military controller enters a year-round hiring track, receives credit for prior experience, and reaches an en route center faster, filling a gap without long delays.
- Safety inspector candidate: An avionics engineer qualifies under Direct Hire Authority, receives a same-day offer at a job fair, and starts training within weeks, strengthening local oversight.
What applicants should do now
- Prepare documents: Keep your resume, transcripts, and certificates ready to upload.
- Practice for ATSA: You can’t “study” the content like a school test, but you can improve test-day focus—rest well and follow timing rules.
- Watch for postings: Create alerts on USAJobs for “Air Traffic Controller” and “Aviation Safety Inspector/Engineer.”
- Be flexible: Willingness to accept a high-need location can speed placement and boost pay through incentives.
Background and outlook
The FAA has faced shortages for years due to retirements and rising traffic. Past hiring drew complaints for slow timelines and political fights over standards. With the 2025 overhaul, the agency expects steady growth in hiring and training through at least 2028. New aircraft types and AI tools will continue reshaping job tasks for both controllers and safety personnel.
Immigration angle for global talent
- Controller jobs require U.S. citizenship.
- Some engineering and technical roles may consider work-authorized applicants under employer sponsorship.
- Candidates should review position eligibility on USAJobs and confirm whether sponsorship is possible.
- Employers seeking specialized engineers should plan early: security checks and public trust requirements can extend start dates.
Official resource
For authoritative details on requirements, timelines, and hiring waves, review the FAA’s Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan posted on faa.gov. It provides historical staffing data, training throughput, and projected needs across facilities.
Actionable takeaways
- Air traffic controllers: Apply early, follow the five-step path, prepare for the ATSA, and consider high-need sites for faster placement and incentives.
- Aviation safety inspectors and engineers: Use Direct Hire opportunities, verify certifications, and consider relocation benefits to secure quicker starts.
- Employers and communities: Expect gradual relief at busy airports as new classes graduate, but plan for a multi-year rebuild as trainees complete Academy and facility certification.
The bottom line: The FAA’s surge in hiring for air traffic controllers, safety inspectors, and engineers marks the largest workforce push in years, pairing faster entry with stronger training and pay. If the plan sticks, travelers should see better staffing resilience, and workers will find clearer, faster paths into critical safety roles.
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