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?

72% of FAA employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated FAA 3.5 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) , Aerospace Engineer (30) , ATC Specialist (29) , ATSS FG-2101 (29) , 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 191 reviews)); "Pay is good but not great unless you are a controller or have been in for a while." ((in 154 reviews)); "Great people that care about aviation and the work they do." ((in 70 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 53 reviews)); "Good work environment and welfare place." ((in 32 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 55 reviews)); "Initial training could be great or it could be terrible depending on your location." ((in 23 reviews)); "bureaucracy Upper management is on their own power trip, often forget to do their actual JOB." ((in 16 reviews)); "rotating shifts, poor management, stress" ((in 13 reviews)); "Shift work, midnight shifts, w" ((in 12 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

72% would recommend to a friend

(1,458 total reviews)

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

68% approve of CEO

50% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (1,458 reviews)

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

FAA has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 1,458 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).

Reviews by job title

1K reviews

4.0

Nov 30, 2014

Gotta get through the academy

Air traffic control specialist

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Extensive knowledge gained, amazing income potential, great benefits, and you get to have a rewarding career with great retirement options.

Cons

You have to get through the academy with at least a 70. There is a lot of information to learn in a short period of time. I don't think the academy should be graded as you will get training on how your facility wants you to operate when you get there.

5.0

Oct 28, 2014

Rewarding

Air traffic control specialist

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great pay. Don't take work home with you. Unplug and your day is over. Repeat.

Cons

Work some nights, weekends, holidays. But you're compensated extra for them.

4.0

Sep 13, 2014

Great job for a sometimes terrible employer

Air traffic controller

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Excitement, job satisfaction, doing something that gives one a great sense of self worth and good pay and good benefits make it a good job.

Cons

Top heavy management, getting a new boss every 2-4 years when there are national elections. Controllers often don't make good Supervisors of people. The skills that make someone an excellent controller don't often transfer to the management of human beings. There are some that are great, but the vast majority don't do well at it.

Viewing 211 - 213 of 1,458 Reviews

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DIRECT HIRE - Aviation Safety Inspector (General Aviation Operations)

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

Public Notice for Air Traffic Control Specialist (Direct Hire)

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FAA

FAA reviews

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Gotta get through the academy

Rewarding

Great job for a sometimes terrible employer

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