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 1% 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 191 reviews)); "Pay is good but not great unless you are a controller or have been in for a while." ((in 156 reviews)); "Great people that care about aviation and the work they do." ((in 66 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)); "I enjoyed my 30 years with the FAA and found the salary good and the work exciting." ((in 31 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 21 reviews)); "bureaucracy Upper management is on their own power trip, often forget to do their actual JOB." ((in 16 reviews)); "Shift work or rotating schedule." ((in 13 reviews)); "I had seen where other reviews pointed out poor leadership caused by people being promoted due to poor performance." ((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

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

1.0

Jun 27, 2015

Management

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great employees provided great satisfaction.

Cons

The worst federal employees ever make managing in this agency a nightmare.

2.0

Mar 21, 2015

Air Traffic Controller

Air traffic control specialist

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Good benefits, decent pay, but mostly a challenging and rewarding career.

Cons

The FAA is a huge old school bureaucracy full of nepotism, where no one in upper management is held accountable for anything. So every decision the FAA makes defies logic and goes against common sense. "This makes absolutely no sense but hey, it's the FAA" is a common sentiment shared by all FAA employees.

4.0

Dec 5, 2014

It was a very interesting work experience.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Very fast paced and exciting place to work, I learned so much about the aviation field. I definitely appreciate the opportunity to be a part of something so special.

Cons

I felt out of place being the only african american and the only women at my airport. Nothing against the field it self just wasn't for me.

Viewing 25 - 27 of 1,455 Reviews

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FAA

FAA reviews

Ratings by category

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Management

Air Traffic Controller

It was a very interesting work experience.

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