As civilian air traffic controllers working for the military leave for more lucrative contracts elsewhere, a federal watchdog is sounding the alarm that their exodus could be contributing to readiness, safety, and training issues.
Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force officials say they can’t compete with the civilian sector to recruit and retain their civilian air traffic control workforce, according to a Department of Defense Inspector General report released last week. The average air traffic control specialist pay across the Air Force is around $113,032. Average pay at the Federal Aviation Administration is $161,150, which is a difference of about 43%, according to a 2026 RAND report cited by the Inspector General.
The Inspector General also found that the services are using inconsistent job grades that don’t reflect the actual demands of the job. Those job grades dictate their classification as federal workers, which impacts their salary and career path. RAND also noted that the FAA’s pay bands “provide greater pay flexibility and address pay disparities.”
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The Federal Aviation Administration controls the National Airspace System, which includes controlled and uncontrolled airspace over the U.S. and surrounding waters. The military services maintain their own air traffic control workforce, which coordinates with the FAA for military operations and flights. According to the Inspector General, the Department of Defense controlled 29% of the national airspace’s traffic, and the FAA controlled 71% of it in fiscal year 2024.
The Department of Defense’s air traffic control shortages “negatively impact” aviation safety and overall readiness, the Inspector General said. Air Force officials said they have had to limit airfield hours, cut down on airspace availability, and shutter “critical safety functions.” At Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, investigators found that these issues “created risks to aircraft and airfield maintenance and caused overseas mission delays.” All of the above is also affecting pilots.
“The shortages are causing a reduction in [air traffic control] services, decreased operational efficiency, and less pilot training because [air traffic control] personnel are not available to manage the aircraft’s movement along air routes,” according to the report.
The lack of air traffic control personnel is an issue across the U.S., with the FAA reporting shortages of thousands of controllers due to recruiting and retention woes, as well as expected retirements in coming years. However, the latest Inspector General report shows the military is faring even worse and losing its own workforce to the FAA.
The investigators warned that air traffic control personnel shortages “hinder” the Pentagon’s ability to meet homeland defense goals outlined in the 2026 National Defense Strategy, which includes a “renewed focus on countering unmanned aerial threats.”
“To maintain its warfighting advantage and align with its strategic priorities, the [Department of Defense] must address these civilian [air traffic control] shortages to improve the Department’s overall readiness and lethality,” the report said.
