Supervise and coordinate the activities of ground crew in the loading, unloading, securing, and staging of aircraft cargo or baggage. May determine the quantity and orientation of cargo and compute aircraft center of gravity. May accompany aircraft as member of flight crew and monitor and handle cargo in flight, and assist and brief passengers on safety and emergency procedures. Includes loadmasters.
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
SOC: 53-1041 O*NET: 53-1041.00
Median Salary
$63,940
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.2%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Supervise and coordinate the activities of ground crew in the loading, unloading, securing, and staging of aircraft cargo or baggage. May determine the quantity and orientation of cargo and compute aircraft center of gravity. May accompany aircraft as member of flight crew and monitor and handle cargo in flight, and assist and brief passengers on safety and emergency procedures. Includes loadmasters.
What does a Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$38,010
10th percentile
Early Career
$49,020
25th percentile
Median
$63,940
50th percentile
Experienced
$79,600
75th percentile
Top Earners
$96,300
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$38,010
25th
$49,020
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$63,940
Mean: $66,190
75th
$79,600
90th
$96,300
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $58,290 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $49,020 and $79,600
- •Salary spread is 47.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 10,160 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:10,300
Top Industries
Air Transportation42.2%
Scheduled Air Transportation40.6%
Couriers and Messengers36.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.2%
Annual Openings:1,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)10,300
Current
2034 (Projected)10,800
+5.2%
+500
Employment Change
+5.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 38 locations
California
1,720 jobs$66,8401.44x
Texas
1,260 jobs$65,8501.38x
Florida
790 jobs$68,2501.22x
Illinois
650 jobs$57,6101.63x
Pennsylvania
290 jobs$56,7000.72x
Minnesota
290 jobs$52,4801.51x
New York
260 jobs$63,7700.41x
Colorado
240 jobs$74,9301.27x
Arizona
240 jobs$74,2301.14x
Virginia
190 jobs$89,2100.73x
Hawaii
190 jobs$64,2704.72x
Massachusetts
190 jobs$63,4800.78x
Georgia
180 jobs$79,4000.56x
South Carolina
180 jobs$62,0501.17x
Nevada
170 jobs$68,8401.72x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Management of Personnel Resources
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Monitoring
80%
#5
Active Listening
74%
#6
Time Management
66%
#7
Coordination
60%
#8
Learning Strategies
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Social Perceptiveness
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Management of Personnel Resources
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.7
74%
Time Management
intermediate3.3
66%
Coordination
intermediate3.0
60%
Learning Strategies
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Management of Personnel Resources
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Learning Strategies
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Recycling Coordinators82%
5 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers82%
5 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers82%
5 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers82%
5 shared skills
Farm Labor Contractors80%
5 shared skills
Bailiffs70%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Management of Personnel Resources
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Time Management
- →Coordination
- →Learning Strategies
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Management of Personnel Resources
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
6
Core Tasks
6
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (4)Management & Supervision (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Distribute cargo to maximize use of space.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Calculate load weights for different aircraft compartments, using charts and computers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Direct ground crews in the loading, unloading, securing, or staging of aircraft cargo or baggage.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision94% perform96%
4
Determine the quantity and orientation of cargo, and compute an aircraft's center of gravity.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Accompany aircraft as a member of the flight crew to monitor and handle cargo in flight.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Train new employees in areas such as safety procedures or equipment operation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development85% perform90%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •100% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors professionals typically have a ECR Holland code and highly value support
EEnterprising
CConventional
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.56
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.47
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.45
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.43
Leadership
Very ImportantLeadership
Importance Level4.41
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.38
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.6
Self-Control
4.5
Dependability
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.4
Leadership
4.4
Cooperation
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Concern for Others
4.1
Independence
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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