Aviation
.
Aerospace

Airway Transportation Systems Specialist

Also posted as ATSS; FAA Systems Specialist; NAS Systems Technician; Air Traffic Systems Technician

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Median wage range
$61k–$95k
National median · per year
Outlook
Growing
Entry barrier
Certificate
No degree required
Overview

What is a Airway Transportation Systems Specialist

An airway transportation systems specialist maintains and troubleshoots communications, navigation, surveillance, automation, and networked systems that support air traffic operations. It's hands-on work in air traffic facilities, radar sites, communication sites, navigation aid locations, and FAA-style infrastructure environments, where technical instructions, safety procedures, troubleshooting, and accurate documentation all matter.

Below: what it pays, what you'd do, the skills you need, and how to become one.

Airway Transportation Systems Specialist
Role Snapshot

The role profile

Everything you need to know about this role, the same details employers use to post openings and colleges use to build training.

Median wage range
$61k–$95k
Typical annual pay based on national and industry data.
O*NET codes
17-3023.0049-2021.00
Primary and secondary occupational codes mapping this role to national labor data.
Cluster type
Aerospace
The broader industry group this role belongs to within the technician economy.
Context tags
Where and how this role is commonly applied.
Core skills
Nas Equipment MaintenanceCommunications / Navigation / Surveillance SystemsAutomation Systems
Essential competencies to perform this role effectively.
Canonical Role ID
UNMUDL-AV-023
A unique identifier linking this role across training, jobs, and employer systems.
Pay & Outlook

How much does it pay?

Airway Transportation Systems Specialist in this role earns a median of $61k–$95k a year. Here's how pay typically grows with experience.

$61k–$95k
National wage proxy range from the mapped SOC/O*NET occupation. Actual pay varies by employer, location, shift, credential, aircraft/system type, and experience.
Wage ranges are illustrative, based on national and industry data. Actual pay varies by employer, location, certification, and experience.
Entry
Experienced
Specialized
On The Job

What does a Airway Transportation Systems Specialist do?

Explore the core responsibilities of this role, from daily operations and equipment handling to safety, quality, and performance requirements.

01

Monitor NAS equipment

Check communications, navigation, surveillance, automation, and networked systems for availability and performance.

02

Troubleshoot infrastructure faults

Use diagnostics, alarms, test equipment, and technical documentation to isolate electronics, RF, network, or automation issues.

03

Restore service safely

Repair, replace, configure, or coordinate system components while protecting operational continuity.

04

Maintain technical records

Document outages, tests, maintenance actions, configurations, and operational impacts.

Skills You Will Build

What skills do you need?

Three core skills sit at the heart of this role. You can learn all of them through short, hands-on training.

Nas Equipment Maintenance

Maintaining National Airspace System-style equipment used for communication, navigation, surveillance, and automation.

Communications / Navigation / Surveillance Systems

Understanding the systems that help aircraft communicate, navigate, and be monitored by air traffic operations.

Automation Systems

Working with electronics, networked systems, diagnostics, and automation tools used in air traffic infrastructure.

Your next step

How to become one.

Take a short, hands-on course to build the core skills, then apply to jobs hiring near you, all in one place, powered by the Unmudl Skills-to-Jobs® Network.

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Common Questions

Airway Transportation Systems Specialist, FAQ

An airway transportation systems specialist maintains and troubleshoots communications, navigation, surveillance, automation, and networked systems that support air traffic operations. The role usually combines hands-on equipment work, technical manuals, inspection or test procedures, safety controls, and maintenance documentation.
The mapped national wage proxy range is about $60,610–$94,810 per year, with a median around $77,180. Pay varies by location, employer, shift, overtime, credentials, and the aircraft or system being supported.
Most people start with an aviation maintenance, electronics, manufacturing, inspection, or related technical program, then build hands-on experience with Nas Equipment Maintenance and Communications / Navigation / Surveillance Systems. Some roles may require FAA, NDT, electrical, manufacturer, or employer-specific credentials.
A four-year degree is usually not the main requirement. Employers commonly value a focused certificate, associate-level technical training, military or apprenticeship experience, and proof that you can follow safety-critical procedures accurately.
Yes, it can be a strong technician career for people who like hands-on, safety-critical systems work. The skills can transfer into related aviation, MRO, airport infrastructure, aerospace manufacturing, or advanced mobility roles as airports and aviation infrastructure need reliable equipment, uptime, and safety-critical maintenance.

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