Entry-Level Air Traffic Controller Salary in Austintown, OH: $75,833 (2026)

Starting the journey towards becoming an air traffic controller involves navigation through specific employment pathways. Primary employers for these positions in Austintown include the FAA, which recruits through both public bid windows for "off-the-street" hiring and partnerships with universities via the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI). Qualifications such as being a U.S. citizen and passing the FAA Air Traffic Standardized Aptitude Test (ATSA) are prerequisites for applicants, most of whom should apply before reaching the age limit of 31 unless they have military experience. For those who secure a role, the FG pay scale will apply, distinct from other federal pay scales, which reflects the pay hierarchy established within the FAA. After initial qualification training at the FAA Academy, typically lasting 3-5 months, air traffic controllers go through an intensive training process for 1-3 years before being certified as a full certified professional controller (CPC). Given the high-demand nature of the role and the shift differentials available, entry-level salaries can show promising increases based on performance, location, and overtime, particularly as Austintown faces a high turnover rate and supply shortages in staffing.