US Air Traffic Controllers Receive Nearly 3% Pay Bump, But Can’t Leave Work Early Under New Deal

Published Oct 17, 2026, 2:42 PM EDT Journalist – Aaron is an aviation and travel journalist with 14 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. His background spans airport operations, aviation infrastructure, and travel consulting, having worked with global organizations across New Zealand, Europe, and North America. Combining industry expertise with firsthand travel experience across more than 52 countries and five continents, Aaron covers airlines, airports, aviation policy, and the wider travel sector. He is based in Canterbury, New Zealand. His work has been published in Simple Flying and featured by MSN, SAM CHUI Aviation & Travel, EIN News, Pakistan Defence, and Climate Depot. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) and Federal transportation officials have agreed to a new pay deal that will give controllers a 2.8% raise, following the 3.8% Congress agreed to in April, with 1% paid immediately and the remainder withheld. This comes after the integral role of an air traffic controller came under intense scrutiny after the deadly incident of Air Canada Express Flight 8646, the fatal incident at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in more than three decades. The new terms, which were announced on Friday, will see a 2.8% pay bump, while also requiring that controllers badge in and out from the control facilities, which, in effect, means they will be monitored for the time worked. Air Traffic Controller Pay Agreement: No Knocking Off Early Credit: Rosemarie Mosteller | Shutterstock An 'early shove' is a longstanding practice that sees the early finishing time of controllers and was identified as a major safety concern following the fatal LaGuardia incident. The fatal flight, which had arrived at the New York airport after a short flight from the Canadian city of Montreal, resulted in the death of the two pilots and injured several passengers onboard. Following the investigation surrounding the root causes of the fatal crash, it was found that two controllers had left the LaGuardia control tower before their actual shift time had ended. This saw the agency dismiss those and other controllers for what is seen as timecard fraud. The 'early shove ' is a longstanding informal practice which has otherwise permitted staff to leave during less busy times. Members of NACTA were pushing for a 3.8% pay rise under the new agreement, but instead the FAA permitted 1%. Administrator Bryan Bedford has now confirmed that a 2.8% increase will be provided following reforms, but will require all workers to remain on the clock for the full duration of their shift. New Pay Terms In Effect From October 18 Credit: John McAdorey | Shutterstock The new terms will be in effect from October 18 and are retroactive to the beginning of this year. FAA management and union representatives will now develop new shift guidelines that will maximize the number of staff during high traffic volume periods, and also ensure facilities that have the most severe staffing needs will be prioritized if controllers are reassigned to different locations. Nick Daniels, President of NACTA, has stressed that the union will continue to fight for compensation and working conditions that controllers deserve, and, as suggested by the Wall Street Journal, will now require that all controllers remain on the clock for the full duration of the shift, regardless of the level of traffic to be monitored at any one time. The new agreement will not only provide controllers with a much-needed pay increase, but also end the longstanding 'early shove' and develop new processes and procedures to fully optimize workers during their shifts. The raise, which will take effect earlier this month, will be backdated to January 1. The 2.8% represents the 3.8% total increase authorized by Congress in April, with controllers receiving the 1% initial raise, and the remaining 2.8% withheld until the operational efficiency reforms were agreed upon. 14,000 Active Workforce Credit: John McAdorey | Shutterstock According to NACTA, in the United States there are approximately 14,000 active controllers. The FAA is under a strong hiring push as part of a multi-year recruitment campaign to hire around 8,900 new controllers between 2025 and 2028. The workforce is critically short around 3,500 controllers, which has otherwise forced current controllers into mandatory overtime and six-day workweeks. The latest pay increase will see not only a 2.8% pay increase, but also tied to efficiency requirements that will see mandatory timekeeping through badge-in, badge-out time tracking and reallocation of shift guidelines to match the forecasted demand. To become an air traffic controller in the US, you must be a citizen and apply before the minimum age cutoff, which is under 31 years of age for standard entry tracks. To become a fully certified controller, there are a number of special tests and training that must be undertaken, including time at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City.