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Air Traffic Controller Staffing Dashboard

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

National Staffing

July 2026
87.0%

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

10,925
Current CPCs
12,563
CWP Target
1,638
Deficit

Training & Attrition

3,778
Current Trainees
75.0%
Avg Training Success Rate
2.06 years
Avg Training Time
Facility Type Overall New Hires Transfers (CPC-IT)
Success Time Success Time Success Time
Tower 83% 1.0y 84% 1.0y 79% 1.1y
Up/Down 76% 1.8y 74% 2.1y 77% 1.7y
TRACON 64% 1.9y 61% 2.2y 67% 1.8y
En Route Center 74% 2.7y 74% 3.1y 75% 1.6y

There was a net gain of 229 certified controllers in the 12 months from July 2025 to July 2026, after all sources of attrition.

Historical Staffing & Training

A look at the national controller staffing percentage and training success rate over time. Detailed historical reports are available in the Controller Workforce Plans Archive.

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
86%
42% of controllers work here
Actual Total: 4,531 Target: 5,255
Tower and Approach Controls
86%
24% of controllers work here
Actual Total: 2,602 Target: 3,026
Towers
94%
20% of controllers work here
Actual Total: 2,310 Target: 2,470
Approach Controls
81%
14% of controllers work here
Actual Total: 1,460 Target: 1,812

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
85%
Actual: 3,562 Target: 4,210
33% of controllers work at Level 12
Level 11 Facilities
85%
Actual: 1,903 Target: 2,235
18% of controllers work at Level 11
Level 10 Facilities
81%
Actual: 1,167 Target: 1,448
12% of controllers work at Level 10
Level 9 Facilities
79%
Actual: 734 Target: 930
7% of controllers work at Level 9
Level 8 Facilities
88%
Actual: 943 Target: 1,068
8% of controllers work at Level 8
Level 7 Facilities
102%
Actual: 969 Target: 949
8% of controllers work at Level 7
Level 6 Facilities
97%
Actual: 781 Target: 809
6% of controllers work at Level 6
Level 5 Facilities
90%
Actual: 648 Target: 718
6% of controllers work at Level 5
Level 4 Facilities
99%
Actual: 218 Target: 221
2% of controllers work at Level 4

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