Expert: Dacus T. Grant - 8/20/2003

Question
Hello. I am a 26 year old male, living in Nashville TN. I work full time as a manager at Lenscrafters. I have GED and no college background. I want to become an air traffic controller.
(1) Please explain to me step by step the things I need to do to achieve this career.

(2) Please explain to me the costs involved.

(3) Please explain the pay rate system.

Best Regards,
Garry Conn  

Answer
Dear Gary,
   For information on how to become an Air Traffic Controller go to http://www2.faa.gov/careers/employment/atc.htm
For the costs involved it would depend on which option that you chose.  Look at the bottom of the page under "How the FAA Hires".  The MCTC-ATCT school is probably the cheapest but you have to have a least a two year degree.
Pay varies by facility and type of facility, from Flight Service Station to Tower to En-Route Centers.
I believe that this is the pay scale on or about January 1, 2001
ATC Grade Min Max
3 $37,283 $52,196
4 $39,799 $55,719
5 $45,171 $63,239
6 $49,915 $69,881
7 $55,155 $77,217
8 $60,947 $85,326
9 $67,345 $94,283
10 $77,447 $108,426
11 $81,513 $114,118
12 $85,589 $119,825
13 $89,869 $125,817
14 $94,363 $132,108

Memphis Center, where I work is an LH now, but the pay is about the level 14.

I hope this helps

Good luck.

Dacus Grant
dacus@iwon.com