Short answer (already been said above), yes there is a shortage.
Slightly longer but no where near encompassing this subject, it's fairly complex to get an accurate number (i.e. if your facility gets a previously certified controller from a low level facility and they check out on a few easy positions in your building they are used to augment the staffing for a bit but inevitably many of them wash out and you are back to square 1). Our facility is a major one and we are around 60% staffed with fully certified controllers. More are leaving than are certifying but that is starting to trend better. Another big thing that is hiding true staffing numbers is at facilities that "they" deem critical to the NAS (ours for example) they have completely shut off the ability to leave without retiring or quitting (I call it the Alcatraz clause). Eventually if they ever turn that off there are lot's of people that want to go other places and we'll be right back again.
Employment outlook, while not as good as the pilot side probably, is still good for ATC for a while. You just have to figure out how to get hired prior to one's 31st birthday.
