Air Traffic Controller Staffing Dashboard

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

Updated November 2025

National Staffing

73.3%

There are currently 10,728 fully-certified air traffic controllers operating 313 federal facilities across the nation.

The total number of certified controllers required to fully staff all facilities to established staffing targets is 14,633.

The American national airspace system is 73.3% staffed with controllers. There is a deficit of 3,905 certified controllers.

Training & Attrition

There are currently 3,426 air traffic control trainees assigned to facilities across the nation.

The average training success rate, weighted for all trainees and facilities, is 75.6%.

The average training time, weighted for all trainees and facilities, is 2.09 years.

Despite continuous training, there was a net gain of only 15 certified controllers from November 2024 to November 2025, after all sources of attrition.

Worst-Staffed Facilities

There are currently 140 facilities with less than 70% staffing.

Worst Current Staffing:

  1. Sonoma Tower is currently 42.9% staffed.
  2. Rochester Tower is currently 43.2% staffed.
  3. Rochester Municipal TRACAB is currently 43.5% staffed.
  4. Helena Tower is currently 43.8% staffed.
  5. Austin Tower is currently 46.7% staffed.
  6. Monroe Tower is currently 47.6% staffed.
  7. Grant County Tower is currently 47.6% staffed.
  8. Willow Run Tower is currently 47.8% staffed.
  9. El Paso Tower is currently 48.6% staffed.
  10. Waco Tower is currently 50.0% staffed.

Worst Projected Staffing:

  1. New York ARTCC is projected to be 49.7% staffed.
  2. Las Vegas TRACON is projected to be 53.6% staffed.
  3. New York TRACON is projected to be 55.6% staffed.
  4. Monroe Tower is projected to be 58.1% staffed.
  5. Fort Wayne Tower is projected to be 59.5% staffed.
  6. Terre Haute Tower is projected to be 59.9% staffed.
  7. El Paso Tower is projected to be 60.0% staffed.
  8. Twin Falls Tower is projected to be 60.7% staffed.
  9. Great Falls Tower is projected to be 61.2% staffed.
  10. Fairbanks Tower is projected to be 61.3% staffed.

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 (colloquially called Up/Downs).

En Route Centers

77%

Actual Total: 4,475 controllers | Target: 5,786 controllers

In aggregate, En Route Centers are 77% staffed.

40% of controllers work at an En Route Center.


Tower and Approach Controls

66%

Actual Total: 2,587 controllers | Target: 3,903 controllers

In aggregate, Tower and Approach Controls are 66% staffed.

27% of controllers work at a Tower and Approach Control.


Towers

75%

Actual Total: 2,209 controllers | Target: 2,926 controllers

In aggregate, Towers are 75% staffed.

20% of controllers work at a Tower.


Approach Controls

72%

Actual Total: 1,457 controllers | Target: 2,018 controllers

In aggregate, Approach Controls are 72% staffed.

14% of controllers work at an Approach Control.


Staffing by Facility Level

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

Level 12 Facilities

76%

Actual Total: 3,543 controllers | Target: 4,648 controllers

In aggregate, level 12 facilities are 76% staffed.

32% of controllers work at a level 12 facility.


Level 11 Facilities

78%

Actual Total: 1,873 controllers | Target: 2,399 controllers

In aggregate, level 11 facilities are 78% staffed.

16% of controllers work at a level 11 facility.


Level 10 Facilities

73%

Actual Total: 1,113 controllers | Target: 1,531 controllers

In aggregate, level 10 facilities are 73% staffed.

10% of controllers work at a level 10 facility.


Level 9 Facilities

72%

Actual Total: 707 controllers | Target: 985 controllers

In aggregate, level 9 facilities are 72% staffed.

7% of controllers work at a level 9 facility.


Level 8 Facilities

71%

Actual Total: 974 controllers | Target: 1,372 controllers

In aggregate, level 8 facilities are 71% staffed.

9% of controllers work at a level 8 facility.


Level 7 Facilities

68%

Actual Total: 862 controllers | Target: 1,263 controllers

In aggregate, level 7 facilities are 68% staffed.

9% of controllers work at a level 7 facility.


Level 6 Facilities

67%

Actual Total: 777 controllers | Target: 1,154 controllers

In aggregate, level 6 facilities are 67% staffed.

8% of controllers work at a level 6 facility.


Level 5 Facilities

66%

Actual Total: 665 controllers | Target: 1,007 controllers

In aggregate, level 5 facilities are 66% staffed.

7% of controllers work at a level 5 facility.


Level 4 Facilities

78%

Actual Total: 214 controllers | Target: 274 controllers

In aggregate, level 4 facilities are 78% staffed.

2% of controllers work at a level 4 facility.


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