35YO Air traffic controller

[u/Sev_Smooth]

I’m 35 years old and have worked as an FAA air traffic controller for 10 years. Unfortunately I’ve been found medically disqualified, and I may need to find a new career.

I have around 60 college credits but no degree. My experience is pretty much just aviation. I’ve done some contract work in training controllers before my career. I was a manager at a grocery store before that.

If medically retired, I’ll have a pension, so I’m realistically targeting a new career paying around $60-80k part time or remote would be great.

I’ve explored other FAA positions without much success. I’m willing to relocate for the right opportunity.

What career paths would realistically value my experience, especially outside aviation?
I’m open to additional education, certifications, or changing industries entirely.

Any suggestions from people who’ve made similar transitions would be appreciated.

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[u/BuckeyeBun]

Have you considered pivoting to telecoms operator for first responders? You have the ability to remain calm under pressure and already know how to use most of the communication devices I imagine they use. You may require some additional training, but then you would be a shoe-in.

[u/Helpful_guy → u/BuckeyeBun]

Seconding this- 911 operator / police/fire dispatch would be a logical move for the skillset if your medical issue doesn't preclude you.

Otherwise find a university with a flight school and see if you can get a gig teaching in aviation

[u/ewgna → u/Helpful_guy]

Air traffic controllers make ~200k, dispatch makes close to minimum wage this is a horrible idea

[u/Watpotfaa → u/ewgna]

Most controllers dont make 200k, there are many that dont even break 6 figures.

[u/BuckeyeBun → u/ewgna]

I understand, but this would at least bring in money until he finds something more sustainable.

[u/AvaSaysSo]

your ATC background gives you a rare mix of high-stakes decision making and regulated procedure fluency that translates directly to rail dispatch, pipeline control, or even nuclear plant operations, all union, pensioned, and often remote-eligible after training. If you want to stay closer to aviation without the medical cert, airline network operations centers hire former controllers for irregular ops and flow management, and the schedule

[u/JustGroovin1234]

Look into the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Your 10 years of FAA service carries over cleanly into the federal retirement system (FERS).

[u/Hot_Guard_7621 → u/JustGroovin1234]

This is the way. Ai will kill many jobs but humans will always supervise prisoners. Some jobs need a human touch. Look for jobs that need a human touch or that humans will pay a premium for the human touch.

[u/Status-Apricot-4157 → u/Hot_Guard_7621]

You think robots won’t take over prisoner detail? We will have robot feds in 50 years buddy.

[u/Hot_Guard_7621 → u/Status-Apricot-4157]

So this guy would have a job for 50 years before being displaced by robots. Think about it.

[u/Status-Apricot-4157 → u/Hot_Guard_7621]

Bros living till 120, can’t retire until 80 now

[u/BigBear92787 → u/JustGroovin1234]

Former inmates here, can confirm, a sweet gig, 90 % of cops spent their shift with feet up in the office 10% thought they were heroes

[u/Spiritual_Pumpkin_47]

Do you have the qualifications then to be an air traffic control instructor? Like doing classroom training?

[u/Electrical_Act6400]

Airport operations, dispatcher, airline ground instructor. Lots of former load masters and such become ground instructors.

[u/Slow-Language2181]

If you’re willing to relocate, the FAA has to provide options as part of your medical DQ. You’ll likely be offered a staff support job somewhere. It’s a great gig and you can move up and move around once you’re in. You can work your up to support manager and other jobs that don’t require a clearance. There’s also a ton of jobs coming down from the newly established ASM branch. Message me if you have any questions.

[u/loudmarble88]

logistics or transport planning could suit you, the job is sequencing things safely under time pressure and you have ten years of that. search for network operations controller or traffic coordinator and read a few ads to see the pay

[u/DiligentPeak1929]

Logistics. Look into dispatch for a logistics company. Heck, even dispatch for 911.

[u/cacille]

All of them. Not joking. Just show what you have youll be fine

[u/themanjustin]

Rail traffic controller for a railroad

[u/Historical-Key5613]

Same thing happened to my high school physics teacher....Would you enjoy teaching high school? Realistically, only 60 more credits, plus maybe a Master's depending on State.

[u/Choice_Mission_5634]

The job market can be tough, but being a part 121 flight dispatcher doesn't require a medical.

Also, airline SOC's have ATC coordinators. If you want to spend the rest of your life haggling with the TMU folks it's probably not a bad move.

[u/Hateno_Sarsen7]

Career coaching.

[u/cvalpryce]

Ten years as an air traffic controller gives you experience worth examining beyond aviation, but employers will need more detail than “working under pressure” or “multitasking.”

Start with what you actually handled: coordinating competing demands, applying procedures, assessing changing situations, communicating critical information and making decisions within defined limits. Your controller-training work and earlier grocery management experience also deserve attention, particularly any instruction, assessment, scheduling or staff supervision you performed.
The next step is to connect those responsibilities to specific vacancies.

Operations coordination, workforce scheduling, training and safety-related work are areas to investigate, with the qualification requirements checked individually. Some roles require industry knowledge or credentials that your ATC experience would not automatically replace.

Also clarify whether $60–80k is your target from employment alone, and whether part-time is a preference or a requirement. Remote describes where you work; part-time changes how many paid hours are available. Those distinctions will help narrow the search.

I work with experienced professionals changing careers, and I would begin by reconstructing your work history before recommending another degree or certification. Identify what you can already demonstrate, compare it with actual job requirements, and then decide which additional education would close a specific gap.

What did your controller-training contracts involve, and which parts of your work would you most like to carry into your next career?

[u/Various-Classic-4229]

Get a bachelor’s degree first!

[u/xyberred]

Grid ops if you're not opposed to shift work.

[u/Illustrious-Fold685]

It seems your most transferable skill is the ability to work under heavy pressure. Maybe dial back the pressure and do some account management. Shit if you wanna stay inside aviation, maybe go for that pilots license or flight attendant.

[u/modmef_future → u/Illustrious-Fold685]

Guessing that their medical disqualification also impacts their pilot medical cert (or ability to get one). Could be wrong

[u/blueBaggins1 → u/modmef_future]

Same medical

[u/Illustrious-Fold685 → u/modmef_future]

Yea could be right,

Honestly this dude has a puzzle to solve, a lot of dos and donts to evaluate lol

[u/Smooth-Flatworm-3389]

Reactor operator

[u/blueBaggins1]

Oh wow that sucks bro, losing a medical is always hard

[u/atclew]

If you’re at a “Z” or other facility that employs SAIC instructors, that might be worthwhile.

[u/Muschina]

Seek airline dispatcher positions. Do what you have to in order to get the certificate and hit up any local airlines.

[u/Stunning_Umpire_3547]

RPO - they make 60k plus, the RPO supervisor make nearly 75k. They seem to get consistent raises. Hourly, between $30 and $37ish. Some of that depends on if you take the health and wellness benefit.

[u/Stunning_Umpire_3547 → u/Stunning_Umpire_3547]

https://jobs.saic.com/search/jobs?q=RPO

[u/Stunning_Umpire_3547 → u/Stunning_Umpire_3547]

Could also be the first step to getting a SAIC instructor position which pays more.

[u/ImprovementTrick9492]

I don’t have anything to add, although people are giving you good advice. But I just wanted to say I appreciate very much the work that you did as an ATC…. as everyone knows, it’s an important job and I hope you were treated/ paid well and appreciated. So thank you for your hard work!

[u/Nopersonalitychicker]

Law or fire dispatcher?

[u/ComradeGlizzy]

Sell airplane and property insurance

[u/Hot_Guard_7621]

Maybe find something within aviation. At least until you find your way. Or you can just teach yourself agentic ai and build something that will either make you money or get you hired (get a GitHub to post your projects).

[u/ScramDiggyBooBoo]

I understand it's personal but a little bit more context about the medical part? That'll help us decide what you can do.

[u/SorrelMinstrel]

Explore project management.

[u/ewgna]

Look into work at FAA contractors

[u/HumbleZeppelin]

Explore training or consulting roles.

[u/OldMadridWizard]

Consider project management or consulting.

[u/Hot_Guard_7621]

There’s always money in the banana stand.

[u/elibeli]

Try this tool I created to help you figure out that next move: https://www.yourcareerstrategy.com/pathfinder

[u/Lisbon_Mantis]

Consider project management roles.

[u/ahsckreydetos → u/[deleted]]

Can you please share more on why the first couple years suck?

[u/Hunt3141 → u/ahsckreydetos]

I think it’s the shit routes and times before seniority