Anyone who's ever seen the movie "Pushing Tin" got a peek at what air traffic controllers do on a day-to-day basis. It's a tough job that not everyone is qualified to do.

Here in the U.S., most of the air traffic controllers currently in the workforce will be lost to retirement over the next 10 years, so the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is planning to hire in excess of 12,000 new, entry level air traffic controllers throughout the coming decade.

To be an air traffic controller, a candidate must have excellent memory and spatial awareness, be quick with numeric computation, assertive, calm under pressure and able to follow and apply rules with an ability to be flexible when needed. Entry level air traffic controller trainees generally begin in their twenties and retire in their fifties. They must pass strict physical and psychological tests, maintain excellent vision, hearing and speaking skills. Air traffic controllers must do everything they can to remain healthy and avoid prohibited medications.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean air traffic controller salary, as of May 2008, is $107, 780 annually. For entry level air traffic controllers (trainees) is about $25,000 per year to start.

Sources:

http://wikianswers.com/Q/How_much_are_air_traffic_controllers_paid
http://www.answers.com/topic/air-traffic-controller