Home Articles Air Traffic Controller Salary: Per Month in India, AAI ATC Salary, Average Salary, Experience Wise Salary

Air Traffic Controller Salary: Per Month in India, AAI ATC Salary, Average Salary, Experience Wise Salary

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Adya Trivedi
Adya Trivedi
Air Traffic Controller Salary: Per Month in India, AAI ATC Salary, Average Salary, Experience Wise Salary

Air Traffic Controller Salary 

The Air Traffic Controllers average salary ranges between INR 9 to 10 lakhs per year. However, with more experience in the job candidates can earn up to INR 20 lakhs per year. The job responsibilities for Air Traffic Controllers are very high pressure and require a lot of awareness. Air Traffic Controllers play a very important role in ensuring flights and passengers’ overall safety. 

There are different types of Air Traffic Controllers. These include Area Controllers, Aerodrome Controllers and Approach Controllers. On average, these Air Traffic Controllers earn between INR 8 to 8.5 lakhs per year

There are several areas where Air Traffic Controllers can work. These include aviation companies, Indian Airforce or airports to name a few. Working in an airport like Indira Gandhi International Airport, Air Traffic Controllers can earn salaries up to INR 10 lakhs per year. However, candidates can also find jobs from recruiters such as Indigo, Spicejet and Indian Navy. 

Also read - Airport Manager Salary: In India, Average Salary, State-wise Salary, Country wise Salary  

Air Traffic Controller Salary Highlights 

Provided below are the need-to-know details for students about the job of an Air Traffic Controller and relevant salary details. The highlights are as follows: 

Job 

Air Traffic Controller

Average Salary 

INR 9 - 10 lakhs per year

Courses

BTech Aerospace Engineering, BTech Automobile Engineering, BSc Physics 

Job Fields 

Airports, Aviation Companies, Airforce

Types of Air Traffic Controllers

Area Controllers, Aerodrome Controllers, Approach Controllers

Also Read - BBA in Aviation

Air Traffic Controller Job Details 

Air Traffic Controllers bear a lot of important responsibilities. Their jobs mainly require them to keep airplanes safe by constantly monitoring them. Air Traffic Controllers are responsible for managing the traffic on runways, keeping pilots updated on weather conditions, giving guidance to pilots as well as ensuring safe take-offs and landings. They are also responsible for giving authority to planes for take-offs and landings and inform pilots incase of any possible safety-hazard. In the case of emergencies, Air Traffic Controllers help advise other pilots and first responders. These workers’ jobs have a lot of stakes and high-pressure responsibilities. 

The job of an Air Traffic Controller requires a lot of effort and discipline. The average salary for most Air Traffic Controllers ranges between INR 9- 10 lakhs per year. However, their work is highly important with a lot of risk as they help ensure the overall safety of flights and their passengers. Due to the nature of their jobs, Air Traffic Controllers are required to be highly vigilant, alert and observant. 

Read - Aerospace Engineer's Salary

Air Traffic Controller Job Fields

Provided below are some of the fields where Air Traffic Controllers work. The job fields for Air Traffic Controllers are as follows:

  • Airports
  • Aviation Industry
  • Airforce

Types of Air Traffic Controllers

There are different types of Air Traffic Controllers that aspiring candidates can aim to become. Provided below are the types of Air Traffic Controllers and relevant job details:

Type of Air Traffic Controller

Job Details 

Area Controllers

These controllers manage the planes that are in-flight between airports. They help monitor planes and ensure flights maintain safe distances from one another. Area Controllers play a very important role in ensuring coordination and communication between aircrafts. They also help find reroutes for planes due to weather conditions. 

Aerodrome Controllers

Aerodrome Controllers are mainly responsible for giving clearances for landings and take-offs. They also help manage flights that are on the ground. They are also responsible for handling any emergencies that may occur on the ground. 

Approach Controllers

Approach Controllers mainly handle aircrafts that are approaching or leaving the airspace of any airport. They help issue approaches and sequence aircrafts for landing as well. 

Also read - Pilot Salary

How to Become an Air Traffic Controller

The job responsibilities for Air Traffic Controllers are very high-stakes and with that, it is a very difficult process for aspiring candidates to become one. Provided below is a general overview of the steps students will have to take to become an Air Traffic Controller in India. The steps are as follows: 

  1. Education: Interested candidates are required to have pursued an undergraduate degree in courses such as BSc Physics, BTech Aerospace Engineering or BTech Automobile Engineering to be eligible to pursue a career as an Air Traffic Controller. It is also important to have achieved  a minimum 60% score to be eligible to pursue this career. 
  2. Physical Requirements: Being in good physical health is very important for those looking to pursue a career as an Air Traffic Controller. It is especially important to have a very keen eyesight and good hearing as these are very important physical traits every Air Traffic Controller should have. 
  3. Entrance Exam: Those candidates looking to pursue a career as an Air Traffic Controller must clear the AAI Entrance Exam hosted by the Airports Authority of India. Clearing and scoring well on this exam is a must for those looking to pursue this career. The exam has 2 rounds that candidates must get through.

Air Traffic Controller Experience-Wise Salaries

With more experience in the job, Air Traffic Controllers tend to get better salaries. Provided below is an overview of the experience-wise salaries that candidates can expect when pursuing a career as an Air Traffic Controller. The salaries are as follows:

Years of Experience 

Average Salary per annum in INR 

0 - 10 Years of Experience 

INR 9,00,000 

10 - 20 Years of Experience 

INR 15,00,000 

20+ Years of Experience

INR 20,00,000

Also read - Loco Pilot Salary

Type of Air Traffic Controller Salary

As mentioned, there are different types of Air Traffic Controllers. Provided below is an overview of the types of Air Traffic Controllers and salaries candidates can expect for them. 

The salaries for the types of Air Traffic Controllers are as follows: 

Type of Air Traffic Controller

Average Salary per annum in INR 

Area Controllers

INR 8,50,000

Aerodrome Controllers

INR 8,00,000

Approach Controllers

INR 8,20,000

Air Traffic Controller Top Recruiters and Salaries

There are several private and public organizations that look to employ Air Traffic Controllers. Any organization that requires airplanes would need Air Traffic Controllers to safely navigate their flights . India has several airlines, airports and other airplane-related organizations that offer well-paying jobs to Air Traffic Controllers. Some of these top recruiters are as follows: 

Recruiter

Average Salary per annum in INR

Indian Airforce

INR 9,70,000

Indian Navy

INR 8,50,000

Indigo Airline 

INR 15,00,000

Spicejet

INR 3,00,000

Indira Gandhi International Airport

INR 10,00,000

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport

INR 9,30,000

Airports Authority of India 

INR 7,60,000

Taneja Aerospace

INR 4,50,000

Further Reading: Aircraft Maintenance Engineering  

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ATC a high paying job?

Yes, the job of an Air Traffic Controller is a high paying job with candidates earning between INR 9-10 lakhs per year with enough experience.

Is ATC a stressful job?

Yes, the job of an Air Traffic Controller is a very stressful job due to the risk and responsibility of ensuring people’s safety.

What is the highest salary for ATC?

With enough experience, Air Traffic Controllers can earn up to INR 20 lakhs per year.

What are some courses I can pursue to be an ATC?

You can pursue various undergraduate courses such as BTech Aerospace Engineering and BSc Physics to be able to pursue a job as an Air Traffic Controller.

What are the types of ATCs?

Some of the types of Air Traffic Controllers include Area Controllers, Aerodrome Controllers and Approach Controllers. On average, these controllers earn salaries between INR 8 to 8.5 lakhs per year.

What is the salary for an ATC in IndiGo?

The average salary for Air Traffic Controllers working in IndiGo is around INR 14 lakhs per year.

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