Air Traffic Controller Staffing Dashboard

For all federally-operated air traffic control facilities in the United States

Updated April 2026

National Staffing
74.0%

The American national airspace system is staffed across 313 federal facilities.

10,854
Current CPCs
14,658
Target CPCs
3,804
Deficit

Training & Attrition

There are currently 3,610 air traffic control trainees assigned across the nation.

75.1%
Avg Training Success Rate
2.09 years
Avg Training Time
There was a net gain of 174 certified controllers in the 12 months from April 2025 to April 2026, after all sources of attrition.

Historical Staffing & Training

A look at the national controller staffing percentage and training success rate over time.

Worst Current Staffing

There are currently 122 facilities with less than 70% staffing.

  1. Grant County Tower 42.9%
  2. Sonoma Tower 42.9%
  3. Rochester Tower 43.2%
  4. Great Falls Tower 43.5%
  5. Helena Tower 43.8%
  6. Terre Haute Tower 44.8%
  7. Amarillo Tower 45.8%
  8. Monroe Tower 47.6%
  9. Nashville Tower 48.2%
  10. Fort Wayne Tower 48.3%

Worst Projected Staffing

The following facilities are projected to have the lowest percentage of their staffing target in the future.

  1. New York ARTCC 48.8%
  2. New York TRACON 52.1%
  3. Grant County Tower 53.1%
  4. Casper Tower 60.0%
  5. Evansville Tower 61.5%
  6. Helena Tower 62.6%
  7. Jackson Tower 62.6%
  8. El Paso Tower 63.8%
  9. Fairbanks Tower 63.8%
  10. Nashville Tower 65.0%

Staffing by Facility Type

The major types of air traffic control facilities are En Route Centers (ARTCCs), Approach Controls (TRACONs), and Towers (ATCTs). Many facilities combine a Tower and Approach Control at one location (Up/Downs).

En Route Centers
78%
39% of controllers work here
Actual Total: 4,515 Target: 5,786
Tower and Approach Controls
66%
27% of controllers work here
Actual Total: 2,590 Target: 3,895
Towers
78%
20% of controllers work here
Actual Total: 2,296 Target: 2,934
Approach Controls
72%
14% of controllers work here
Actual Total: 1,453 Target: 2,018

Staffing by Facility Level

Facility levels range from 4 to 12. They increase with the amount and complexity of traffic that a facility controls.

Level 12 Facilities
76%
Actual: 3,547 Target: 4,648
32% of controllers work at Level 12
Level 11 Facilities
79%
Actual: 1,888 Target: 2,399
16% of controllers work at Level 11
Level 10 Facilities
74%
Actual: 1,163 Target: 1,576
11% of controllers work at Level 10
Level 9 Facilities
72%
Actual: 729 Target: 1,017
7% of controllers work at Level 9
Level 8 Facilities
69%
Actual: 923 Target: 1,334
9% of controllers work at Level 8
Level 7 Facilities
71%
Actual: 961 Target: 1,347
9% of controllers work at Level 7
Level 6 Facilities
70%
Actual: 775 Target: 1,103
8% of controllers work at Level 6
Level 5 Facilities
67%
Actual: 648 Target: 963
7% of controllers work at Level 5
Level 4 Facilities
81%
Actual: 220 Target: 271
2% of controllers work at Level 4

Explore More

🗺️

Facilities Map

Explore specific locations on the interactive ATC Facilities Map.
💰

ATC Salaries

Learn about Air Traffic Controller Salaries & Pay Stagnation.
🗼

Facilities Database

Browse details about all FAA Air Traffic Control Facilities.