America’s air traffic controllers are in short supply—Those who qualify can make $137,000 annually, with no bachelor’s required

Last week, an American Airlines passenger jet collided with an Army helicopter right outside of Reagan Washington National Airport, killing all 67 people involved. Two days later, a small medical plane crashed in Philadelphia, killing all six people on board and one on the ground. Both incidents left the American public confused—and terrified. 

While many have posited theories around the deadly plane crashes—from miscommunication to governmental chaos caused by the new Trump administration. As it turns out, America has grappled with an air traffic controller shortage for years. There are a few key reasons as to why there aren’t enough workers on call—from costly and time-consuming training, to high churn in the coaching phases. But for those who hold out in the field, there are several upsides. Air traffic controllers make an average of six figures per year, and are growing within the labor market as the travel industry continues to thrive. 

Source: FORTUNE