Airfield Operations Specialist Salary
Airfield Operations Specialists earn a median $56,850 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
What airfield operations specialists do
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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.8% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 1,500
Employment of airfield operations specialists is projected to grow 7.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Airfield Operations Specialist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,642
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,525
- Medicare (1.45%)$824
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$47,859
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,870 | $17.25 | $31,002 |
| 25th percentile | $42,000 | $20.19 | $35,927 |
| Median (50th) | $56,850 | $27.33 | $47,859 |
| 75th percentile | $77,340 | $37.18 | $63,239 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,120 | $49.10 | $80,671 |
Airfield Operations Specialist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $123,290 | — | $91,337 | $54,990 – $163,350 | 290 |
| Washington | $84,050 | +1.8% | $67,959 | $50,520 – $119,490 | 150 |
| Alabama | $78,590 | +0.4% | $60,454 | $62,870 – $83,290 | — |
| Arizona | $77,570 | −3.4% | $61,670 | $52,720 – $101,960 | 160 |
| Colorado | $77,500 | +6.6% | $60,650 | $49,800 – $95,680 | 70 |
| Oregon | $75,130 | −0.8% | $55,940 | $48,720 – $83,700 | 50 |
| Virginia | $72,250 | +81.3% | $56,318 | $37,720 – $113,230 | 280 |
| Alaska | $71,510 | +7.9% | $59,137 | $43,780 – $105,060 | 160 |
| New Mexico | $69,090 | +53.1% | $55,353 | $39,020 – $104,360 | 50 |
| Georgia | $66,790 | +43.1% | $52,973 | $20,490 – $78,920 | 340 |
| California | $62,600 | +2.5% | $49,860 | $47,040 – $106,170 | 1,660 |
| Idaho | $62,510 | +24.9% | $50,202 | $47,260 – $84,400 | 40 |
| Michigan | $61,780 | +1.3% | $49,445 | $41,220 – $78,920 | 440 |
| Nevada | $61,350 | +1.8% | $51,475 | $46,150 – $106,960 | 150 |
| Texas | $60,910 | −21.4% | $51,121 | $39,680 – $148,060 | 1,310 |
| Utah | $59,780 | −2.6% | $48,489 | $39,930 – $82,190 | 290 |
| Florida | $57,650 | −7.9% | $48,502 | $37,490 – $77,290 | 2,320 |
| Ohio | $57,140 | +0.7% | $47,303 | $38,790 – $77,860 | 360 |
| Massachusetts | $56,020 | — | $44,611 | $45,610 – $78,250 | 380 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,660 | −6.4% | $45,194 | $31,980 – $84,460 | 340 |
| Oklahoma | $49,200 | −33.8% | $40,044 | $31,330 – $95,840 | 80 |
| Iowa | $48,870 | +1.8% | $40,242 | $18,320 – $62,810 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $45,820 | +27.1% | $37,677 | $30,980 – $70,590 | 610 |
| Mississippi | $44,290 | −8.8% | $36,727 | $39,210 – $80,720 | — |
| New Jersey | $42,480 | +2.5% | $35,513 | $42,480 – $94,040 | — |
| New York | $42,000 | +2.5% | $34,256 | $32,410 – $67,710 | 2,190 |
| Missouri | $40,360 | −16.1% | $33,650 | $34,190 – $63,970 | 310 |
| Tennessee | $40,180 | −11.9% | $34,465 | $17,910 – $65,440 | 190 |
| Wisconsin | $39,400 | +5.1% | $32,885 | $38,160 – $58,550 | 100 |
| South Dakota | $37,860 | −15.6% | $32,601 | $30,460 – $49,560 | 190 |
| Indiana | $37,730 | −13.1% | $31,413 | $31,770 – $61,380 | 350 |
| North Dakota | $37,550 | −24.9% | $32,351 | $37,120 – $60,530 | 80 |
| Montana | $33,990 | −44.8% | $28,650 | $31,940 – $68,630 | 90 |
| South Carolina | $33,590 | +0.3% | $28,311 | $18,730 – $71,220 | 90 |
| West Virginia | $28,670 | −25.5% | $24,495 | $28,670 – $50,760 | 60 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller | $148,080 | Associate's degree | +1.7% |
| Flight Attendant | $63,580 | High school diploma or equivalent | +8.8% |
| Commercial Pilot | $123,220 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.2% |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $232,140 | Bachelor's degree | +8.3% |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $56,450 | No formal educational credential | +0.2% |
| Rail Transportation Workers, All Other | $56,360 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.4% |
| Bridge and Lock Tender | $57,700 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.3% |
| Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor | $58,170 | High school diploma or equivalent | +9.2% |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver | $58,640 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.8% |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $58,870 | No formal educational credential | +2.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a airfield operations specialist make?
The national median salary for airfield operations specialists is $56,850 a year ($27.33 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,870 and the top 10% earn over $102,120. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays airfield operations specialists the most?
Kentucky has the highest median pay at $123,290.
How many airfield operations specialists are there in the U.S.?
About 15,190 people work as airfield operations specialists nationwide.