Airline Pilot
Median wage · national
$232,140
Range: $182K – $384K
Employed
104K
Openings/yr
12K
Typically: bachelor's degree
TRADES
Airfield Operations Specialists
Airfield Operations Specialists earn $56,850 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $42,000 and $77,340. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Airfield Operations Specialists
Ensure the safe takeoff and landing of commercial and military aircraft. Duties include coordination between air-traffic control and maintenance personnel, dispatching, using airfield landing and navigational aids, implementing airfield safety procedures, monitoring and maintaining flight records, and applying knowledge of weather information.
- Median Wage
- $56,850
- Employed Nationally
- 15K
- Openings / Year
- 1,600
- Entry Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Airfield Operations Specialist
Airfield Services Officer
Airline Dispatcher
Airport Agent
Airport Operations Agent
How Much Do Airfield Operations Specialists Make?
Airfield Operations Specialists earn $56,850 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,000 and $77,340. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$56,850
National Median (Annual)
Near the national median for college graduates.
$42K–$77K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$42,000
Entry-level
$56,850
Median
$77,340
Experienced
What Do Airfield Operations Specialists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Airfield Operations Specialists roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Inspect airfield conditions to ensure compliance with federal regulatory requirements.
- Implement airfield safety procedures to ensure a safe operating environment for personnel and aircraft operation.
- Conduct inspections of the airport property and perimeter to maintain controlled access to airfields.
- Assist in responding to aircraft and medical emergencies.
- Initiate or conduct airport-wide coordination of snow removal on runways and taxiways.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Active Listening
Monitoring
Coordination
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Who Thrives Here
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
E
Enterprising
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
Where Do Airfield Operations Specialists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
High
High time pressure and significant consequences for errors. Deadline-driven or high-stakes decisions are common.
What Is the Job Outlook for Airfield Operations Specialists?
The BLS projects +4.2% employment change for Airfield Operations Specialists through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 1,600 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +4.2%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
1,600
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
15K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Airfield Operations Specialists professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $56,850 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | 3,670 | $62,600 | +10.1% |
| 2 | Texas | 1,550 | $77,460 | +36.3% |
| 3 | New York | 1,430 | $40,980 | -27.9% |
| 4 | California | 1,150 | $61,100 | +7.5% |
| 5 | North Carolina | 800 | $36,050 | -36.6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Airfield Operations Specialists positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air Transportation | 10,445 | $85,825 | 248 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Airfield Operations Specialists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas A&M University-Central Texas Killeen, TX | 87 | $1,300 | — |
| 2 | Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN | 86 | $14,600 | $72,424 |
| 3 | Miami Dade College Miami, FL | 84 | $5,463 | $40,654 |
| 4 | Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH | 83 | $17,339 | $60,409 |
| 5 | San Diego Miramar College San Diego, CA | 83 | $3,337 | $48,224 |
| 6 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK | 82 | $15,300 | $63,126 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Airfield Operations Specialists, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Airfield Operations Specialists pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Airfield Operations Specialists Pros & Cons
The data on Airfield Operations Specialists shows 3 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Competitive salary $56,850 median wage puts this career near or above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +4.2% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $42,000 is considerably below the $56,850 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.
Airfield Operations Specialists Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Airfield Operations Specialists professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Airfield Operations Specialists is $56,850, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,000 and $77,340. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Airfield Operations Specialists a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $56,850 median, with +4.2% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How do I become a Airfield Operations Specialists?
Most Airfield Operations Specialists positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Air Transportation are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for Airfield Operations Specialists?
The BLS projects +4.2% employment change for Airfield Operations Specialists through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 1,600 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 15K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Airfield Operations Specialists professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Airfield Operations Specialists roles: Active Listening, Monitoring, Coordination, Reading Comprehension, and Speaking. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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- Job outlook
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