NATS Air Traffic Controller Salary Guide 2025

Air traffic control is one of the highest-paying careers available to candidates without a degree. This guide provides an honest overview of NATS ATC salaries in 2025 at every stage of the career.

Trainee Controller Salary

Trainee controllers are employed by NATS from day one of their college training. The base trainee salary is approximately **£23,154** per year, with an additional weekly expenses payment of around £60 to cover living costs during training. Some trainees also receive a £1,000 completion bonus on finishing the college phase.

Newly Qualified Controller

On qualification and first posting, NATS ATC salaries typically range from **£48,480 to £54,032**, depending on the type of unit you are posted to (aerodrome, approach, or en-route).

Experienced Controller Salary

Salaries increase with endorsements and experience. A controller with multiple sector endorsements at a busy aerodrome or approach unit can expect to earn in the range of **£60,000–£80,000**.

Senior/Complex Unit Controllers

Controllers at the most complex and demanding units earn the highest salaries. En-route controllers at Swanwick and Prestwick, and approach/aerodrome controllers at major airports like Heathrow and Gatwick, can earn:

Heathrow specifically is known for the highest total packages due to the complexity and responsibility of the role.

Shift Pay and Allowances

A significant portion of total ATC pay comes from:

These allowances can add 20–40% on top of basic salary for controllers working shift patterns at busy units.

How Does ATC Pay Compare?

To put ATC salaries in context:

The trade-off is the intensity of the work: managing multiple aircraft simultaneously under time pressure, carrying legal and safety responsibility for every clearance issued.

Is the Pay Worth It?

For candidates who pass the NATS selection process, ATC offers exceptional financial reward, job security, career progression, and the genuine satisfaction of performing a highly skilled and socially important role. The key challenge is passing the initial selection — particularly the Stage 1 aptitude battery.