Air Traffic Controllers
The short answer
Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 156 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a third of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 61% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Very similar work+76% pay593 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 76% more—$260,830 vs your $148,137 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Problem Sensitivity
- Transportation
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Response Orientation
- Operation and Control
- Rate Control
- Reaction Time
- Spatial Orientation
Commercial Pilots
Very similar work+22% pay126 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 22% more—$181,318 vs your $148,137 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Problem Sensitivity
- Transportation
- Customer and Personal Service
- Far Vision
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Operation and Control
- Response Orientation
- Multilimb Coordination
- Reaction Time
- Rate Control
Power Distributors and Dispatchers
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay508 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$142,573 vs your $148,137 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Problem Sensitivity
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Engineering and Technology
- Physics