A trainee air traffic controller at NATS earns £34,611.60 in basic training (a £25,500 basic salary plus a £9,111.60 accommodation allowance) and £50,468 to £56,247 once qualified, depending on the unit, at 2026 rates. The National Careers Service quotes £48,000 as a starter figure, but NATS publishes lower trainee pay, so use the NATS numbers below for the first years.
Air traffic controller salary UK by stage
NATS publishes pay by training stage on its trainee air traffic controller page.
| Grade or stage | Salary | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Trainee, basic training | £34,611.60 package | £25,500 basic plus £9,111.60 accommodation allowance |
| Unit training | about £37,490 to £42,786 | Includes shift allowance; depends on location |
| Qualified controller | £50,468 to £56,247 | Depends on unit |
| Welcome and college bonuses | £1,000 and £500 | Welcome bonus, then a post-college bonus |
Source: NATS trainee air traffic controllers page, stated at 2026 rates. Airport (non-NATS) controller pay is not published on a page we could verify, so we do not quote it. The National Careers Service range of £48,000 to £100,000 covers the whole career and is secondhand for senior pay.
Air traffic controller pay stage picker
How to become an air traffic controller in the UK
NATS recruits trainees with no aviation experience on a Level 5 apprenticeship.
- Eligibility: aged 18 or over, indefinite right to work in the UK, five GCSEs at grade 4 including English and maths, SC security clearance and a Class 3 medical.
- Class 3 medical: done at an aeromedical centre and can take up to four hours; valid for 24 months under 40 and 12 months at 40 or over (CAA).
- Basic training: 1 to 2 years at the NATS college in Whiteley, Hampshire, or at Global ATS in Gloucestershire, leading to a Student ATC licence.
- Unit training: at an operational site until you validate and receive the full licence.
- Application: NATS recruitment was open on 8 November 2026, with later assessment stages from December 2026 and starts from late 2027. We could not confirm the closing date.
What NATS says about the job
“24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.”
NATS, describing the air traffic service it runs (an organisation statement, not a personal quote). Source
Hours, medical and what affects pay
Hours: the National Careers Service gives 35 to 45 hours a week, on days, nights and weekends.
Medical cost: the Class 3 medical fee is not published on the CAA page we reviewed, so check the aeromedical centre.
What moves your pay: training stage, shift allowance, location of the unit and, later, seniority at larger airports.
Air traffic controller salary FAQ
How much does an air traffic controller earn in the UK?
At NATS, a trainee earns a £34,611.60 package in basic training and a qualified controller £50,468 to £56,247, at 2026 rates.
How long does it take to become an air traffic controller?
Basic training takes about 12 to 15 months, followed by unit training at an operational site until you validate.
What qualifications do you need?
Five GCSEs at grade 4 including English and maths, plus SC clearance and a Class 3 medical. No aviation experience is needed for the NATS apprenticeship.
Is the National Careers Service salary correct?
It lists £48,000 as a starter figure, which is higher than NATS trainee pay. Use NATS figures for trainee wages.
Sources and further reading
- NATS: trainee air traffic controllers
- National Careers Service: air traffic controller
- CAA: initial medical certification for ATCOs
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Updated November 2026. Pay and bonuses change yearly; check the NATS page before you apply.
