We surveyed 563 air traffic controllers to learn what personality traits and interests make them unique. Here are the results.


Holland Codes

Air traffic controllers are enterprising and conventional

Air traffic controllers tend to be predominantly enterprising individuals, which means that they are usually quite natural leaders who thrive at influencing and persuading others. They also tend to be conventional, meaning that they are usually detail-oriented and organized, and like working in a structured environment.

If you are one or both of these archetypes, you may be well suited to be an air traffic controller. However, if you are artistic, this is probably not a good career for you. Unsure of where you fit in? Take the career test now.

Here’s how the Holland codes of the average air traffic controller break down:


Big Five

The top personality traits of air traffic controllers are social responsibility and agreeableness

Air traffic controllers score highly on social responsibility, indicating that they desire fair outcomes and have a general concern for others. They also tend to be high on the measure of agreeableness, meaning that they are very sensitive to the needs of others and value harmony within a group.

Once again, let’s break down the components of the personality of an average air traffic controller: