2,000 Fortnite Players Hired as Air Traffic Controllers
The US Federal Aviation Administration has met 94% of its hiring goal for air traffic controllers by recruiting video gamers, with another 2,000 candidates in the pipeline
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has hired over 2,000 video gamers as air traffic controllers, meeting 94% of its hiring goal. The FAA believes that gamers possess skills such as multitasking, spatial awareness, and problem-solving that are valuable in air traffic control.
The median annual wage for air traffic controllers was $144,580 in 2024. However, only about 25% of air traffic controllers hold a traditional college degree. The FAA's campaign to recruit gamers as air traffic controllers was launched in April, and it has been successful in attracting talented young people pursuing alternative career paths.
Another 2,000 candidates are in the hiring pipeline for air traffic controllers. The FAA's Air Traffic Controller Academy is located in Oklahoma City, where trainees start at $22.61 per hour, with health and housing benefits included.
## Why it matters The US Government Accountability Office reported a shortage of air traffic controllers in December 2025. The number of air traffic controllers has fallen 6% over the last 10 years, while the number of flights relying on air traffic control systems increased by 10% in the same period. This shortage can lead to delayed or canceled flights, and potentially even crashes.
The FAA's decision to recruit gamers as air traffic controllers is an effort to address this shortage. The skills required to play video games, such as thinking quickly and managing multiple sources of information, are similar to those required to be an air traffic controller. By recruiting gamers, the FAA is hoping to attract talented individuals who may not have considered a career in air traffic control otherwise.
## What happens next The FAA will continue to train the newly hired air traffic controllers at its academy in Oklahoma City. With another 2,000 candidates in the pipeline, the FAA is on track to meet its hiring goal and address the national shortage of air traffic controllers. This initiative may also pave the way for other industries to consider recruiting gamers for jobs that require similar skills.
