Aug. 12, 2026, 4:02 p.m. ET
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the Federal Aviation Administration has hired more than 2,000 people as air traffic controllers after launching a recruitment campaign aimed in part at video gamers.
Duffy called the effort a “game changer” in a recent social media post, saying the FAA has reached 94% of its hiring goal and has more than 2,000 additional candidates in the pipeline.
“(The FAA) supercharged the entire hiring process to get the BEST & BRIGHTEST in faster,” Duffy’s X post on Aug. 9 reads. “The results are HISTORIC. We’re building the strongest, sharpest workforce in aviation history.”
The recruitment campaign, launched in April, was designed to reach younger applicants who may have skills that translate to air traffic control. The hiring push comes as the FAA works to address a longstanding shortage of air traffic controllers, which has raised concerns about flight delays, cancellations, overtime and worker fatigue.
Why is the FAA recruiting gamers?
The FAA says video games can help develop useful skills for air traffic control, including multitasking, spatial awareness, strategy, problem-solving and the ability to process information quickly.
“To reach the next generation of air traffic controllers, we need to adapt,” Duffy said when the campaign launched in April.
About 25% of air traffic controllers have a traditional college degree, according to the FAA. The agency said feedback from former controllers also found that some credited gaming with helping them think quickly, stay focused and manage complex situations.
Those skills can be important for controllers, who help manage more than 80,000 flights each day, CBS News reported.
Can gamers become air traffic controllers?
Playing video games alone is not enough to qualify someone for the job.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, be under 31 years old when they apply and speak English fluently and clearly. They also must pass the FAA’s Air Traffic Skills Assessment, as well as medical and security clearances.
Hired candidates attend training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After completing academy training, they receive additional on-the-job training before becoming certified professional controllers.
Michael O’Donnell, an aerospace consultant and former FAA official, told The Independent that gaming experience could give applicants an advantage but does not replace the aptitude, discipline and decision-making skills needed for the job.
How much do air traffic controllers make?
The career can offer six-figure earning potential without requiring a traditional four-year college degree.
The median annual wage for air traffic controllers was $144,580 in 2024, the most recent year for which federal data is available, according to CBS News.
The FAA has also worked to accelerate its hiring process, saying it has cut more than five months from the time it takes to hire controllers. The agency said applicants moved into academy training four times faster last year.
Duffy’s gaming-focused campaign has drawn both praise and skepticism online, with some questioning gamers’ aptitude for air traffic controller jobs. Despite this, the FAA says it is continuing its hiring push while working to improve staffing efficiency and reduce fatigue and burnout.
To apply for the position, please visit the USA Jobs website. Applications will close once the FAA receives 8,000 applications, officials stated.
Contributing: USA TODAY reporter Julia Gomez
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or on X @athompsonUSAT.