Does FAA pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, FAA employees rate their compensation and benefits as 4.1 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at FAA. This rating has decreased by 2% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at FAA?

71% of FAA employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated FAA 3.6 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.6 for culture and values and 3.7 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at FAA?

Air Traffic Control Specialist (153) , Air Traffic Controller (122) , Airway Transportation Systems Specialist (47) , Aviation Safety Inspector (40) , Management and Program Analyst (33) , ATC Specialist (29) , Aerospace Engineer (29) , ATSS FG-2101 (28) , Intern (24) , Engineer (23) , Civil Engineer (20) , Program Manager (20) , Manager (17) , Air Traffic Controller Trainee (14) , Computer Specialist (14)

What are the pros of working at FAA according to real employee reviews?

"benefits are great and day to day work is great" ((in 203 reviews)); "Pay is good but not great unless you are a controller or have been in for a while." ((in 166 reviews)); "Great people that care about aviation and the work they do." ((in 62 reviews)); ""Job security" is great and once you know what you are supposed to do you can then explore other areas or job functions." ((in 56 reviews)); "Great work/life balance" ((in 55 reviews))

What are the cons of working at FAA according to real employee reviews?

"Management is incompetent and often take the path of least resistance to progress their own careers." ((in 52 reviews)); "Training is difficult and not as efficient as it could be" ((in 20 reviews)); "Shift work and rotating schedules" ((in 18 reviews)); "bureaucracy Upper management is on their own power trip, often forget to do their actual JOB." ((in 16 reviews)); "I had seen where other reviews pointed out poor leadership caused by people being promoted due to poor performance." ((in 11 reviews))

What are employees saying about FAA layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about FAA layoffs and their outlook for job security at FAA in 2026.

FAA reviews

3.8

71% would recommend to a friend

(1,455 total reviews)

Pete Buttigieg | Michael G. Whitaker | Kathryn “Katie” Thomson

68% approve of CEO

50% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.1

Compensation and benefits

3.8

Diversity & inclusion

3.7

Career opportunities

3.6

Culture & values

3.6

Work/Life balance

3.3

Senior management

FAA has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 1,455 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The FAA employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Gobierno y administración pública industry (3.6 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

1K reviews

5.0

Apr 24, 2017

VP of Maintenance

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Stability flexibility and working conditions

Cons

Long lead times for project completion

5.0

Apr 22, 2017

Great compensation, typical federal job

Engineer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Good job security, low pressure to perform. Many technical positions in pay bands that extend slightly beyond the normal GS scale. (Air traffic controllers get MONEY, and only need a high school degree.)

Cons

Many positions are excepted service instead of competitive service, which means it is difficult to transfer to defense jobs unless you are a veteran. Executives and management don't like to rock the boat, so they don't get extra work or intense scrutiny.

3.0

Apr 22, 2017

Oakland ARTCC

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Good relationship between NATCA and management

Cons

Poorly staffed, very high cost of living, difficult to transfer to other facilities

Viewing 1213 - 1215 of 1,455 Reviews

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Jobs at FAA

Public Notice for Air Traffic Control Specialist - Trainee (Direct Hire)

Air Traffic Control Specialist (Direct Hire Enhanced CTI Program/E-CTI)

Public Notice for Air Traffic Control Specialist (Direct Hire)

Public Notice for Chemist (Direct Hire)

DIRECT HIRE - Aviation Safety Inspector - Airworthiness (Air Carrier Maintenance)

FAA

FAA reviews

Ratings by category

Ratings by demographic groups

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VP of Maintenance

Great compensation, typical federal job

Oakland ARTCC

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