Air Traffic Controller
Aviation
Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport, and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers, according to established procedures and policies. Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.
Picture the job
Where you'd usually workAn airport or hangar
- Mostly indoors
- Sitting for most of the day
- Dealing with customers or the public
- A noisy workplace
An illustration of a typical workplace, not a photo. The work-style notes come from US O*NET data, so read them as a guide.
In Malaysia
In Malaysia, air traffic controllers are public servants employed through CAAM, not private contractors as in some countries. On top of basic pay, licensed controllers doing ATC duty receive a monthly incentive allowance set by JPA (RM600 at grade A9, rising to RM1,200 at A14).
- How people get into it here
- SPM with credits in Maths or a Science subject and English → Diploma (Assistant ATC Officer, grade A29/A5) or Bachelor's degree in any recognised field (ATC Officer, grade A41/A9) → CAAM aptitude test, Class III aviation medical and ICAO English proficiency Level 4 → pass the basic air traffic control courses → on-the-job training to earn a licence and live rating.
- Government post
- Pegawai Kawalan Trafik Udara Gred A9 (formerly A41); Penolong Pegawai Kawalan Trafik Udara Gred A5 (formerly A29) · starts at RM2,325 a month
Pay in Malaysia
Government starting pay
RM2,325 – RM2,635.65
per month
Official basic pay for the government grade, before allowances. Private-sector pay can differ.
How far is this from you?
Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.
1
Entry straight after SPM
2
SPM + sijil / short TVET course
Typical entry
Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)
4
Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)
5
Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route
How to get here
Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.
Asasi / Foundation
One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.
Diploma
Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.
Check what you may qualify for
Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.
Quick answers
How do you become an Air Traffic Controller in Malaysia?
SPM with credits in Maths or a Science subject and English → Diploma (Assistant ATC Officer, grade A29/A5) or Bachelor's degree in any recognised field (ATC Officer, grade A41/A9) → CAAM aptitude test, Class III aviation medical and ICAO English proficiency Level 4 → pass the basic air traffic control courses → on-the-job training to earn a licence and live rating. Registration with Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) – Air Traffic Controller Licence (ICAO-recognised) is required to practise.
What should I study to become an Air Traffic Controller?
Related fields of study: Aviation. SPM subjects that help most: English, Geography, Electrical & Electronic Eng. Studies and Computer Science / ICT.
How much does an Air Traffic Controller earn in Malaysia?
The official pay scale put starting pay at RM2,325 – RM2,635.65 a month (source: CAAM scheme of service, ATC Officer Grade A41, 2023).
What you'd do all day
The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.
Also known as
What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.
Subjects that matter here
The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.
What you'd need to know
The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.
- Transportation84%
- English Language79%
English
- Public Safety and Security75%
- Education and Training75%
- Customer and Personal Service72%
- Geography69%
Geography
Tools you'd use
Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.
What the work feels like
Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.
- Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
- Contact with other peopleConstant contact
- Dealing with customers or the publicVery high
- Leading or coordinating othersVery high
- Handling conflict situationsEvery day
- Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
- Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
- Noisy environmentOften
Where this job is heading
Newer tasks O*NET has flagged for this occupation, a hint at how the role is changing.
- Monitor, direct, or sequence the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
AI and demand for this job
A few real, dated data points, not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.
Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)
This estimate is from 2023, already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.
Related careers
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About this information
This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.
O*NET occupation: Air Traffic Controllers
Source: CAAM scheme of service, ATC Officer Grade A41 · as of Jan 2023
Check the salary figures yourself:CAAM scheme of service, ATC Officer Grade A41
Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org