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.
Airfield Operations Specialists
SOC: 53-2022 O*NET: 53-2022.00
Median Salary
$56,750
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.2%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Airfield Operations Specialists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$35,200
10th percentile
Early Career
$41,220
25th percentile
Median
$56,750
50th percentile
Experienced
$78,320
75th percentile
Top Earners
$111,030
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$35,200
25th
$41,220
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$56,750
Mean: $67,120
75th
$78,320
90th
$111,030
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $75,830 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $41,220 and $78,320
- •Salary spread is 65.4% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 16,640 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:16,900
Top Industries
Air Transportation50.2%
Scheduled Air Transportation44.4%
Support Activities for Transportation11.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.2%
Annual Openings:1,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)16,900
Current
2034 (Projected)17,600
+4.2%
+700
Employment Change
+4.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Airfield Operations Specialists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 37 locations
Florida
3,670 jobs$62,6003.46x
Texas
1,550 jobs$77,4601.04x
New York
1,430 jobs$40,9801.39x
California
1,150 jobs$61,1000.59x
North Carolina
800 jobs$36,0501.51x
Pennsylvania
550 jobs$59,4800.84x
New Jersey
480 jobs$41,4501.05x
Georgia
470 jobs$46,6700.89x
Michigan
430 jobs$60,9900.90x
Tennessee
380 jobs$45,6301.09x
Indiana
370 jobs$43,4201.08x
Virginia
350 jobs$39,8600.79x
Utah
290 jobs$61,4001.55x
Ohio
240 jobs$56,7500.40x
Washington
160 jobs$82,5400.43x
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
Active Listening
100%
#2
Monitoring
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Coordination
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Writing
54%
#9
Instructing
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Coordination
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Writing
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:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Writing
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Instructing
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Museum Technicians and Conservators100%
5 shared skills
Accountants and Auditors82%
5 shared skills
Quality Control Systems Managers82%
5 shared skills
Sustainability Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists82%
5 shared skills
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Writing
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
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 Airfield Operations Specialists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechOracle Database
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechExtensible markup language XML
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechLinux
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Access
Oracle Database
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Extensible markup language XML
SAP software
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Linux
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
📚 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
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (7)Planning & Development (5)Communication & Coordination (4)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Training & Development (1)Management & Supervision (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Implement airfield safety procedures to ensure a safe operating environment for personnel and aircraft operation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Plan and coordinate airfield construction.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Coordinate with agencies, such as air traffic control, civil engineers, or command posts, to ensure support of airfield management activities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination94% perform96%
4
Monitor the arrival, parking, refueling, loading, and departure of all aircraft.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Maintain air-to-ground and point-to-point radio contact with aircraft commanders.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Train operations staff.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development85% perform90%
7
Relay departure, arrival, delay, aircraft and airfield status, and other pertinent information to upline controlling agencies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Procure, produce, and provide information on the safe operation of aircraft, such as flight planning publications, operations publications, charts and maps, or weather information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Coordinate communications between air traffic control and maintenance personnel.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Communication & Coordination76% perform84%
10
Perform and supervise airfield management activities, including mobile airfield management functions.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% 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 Airfield Operations Specialists
💡 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?
Airfield Operations Specialists professionals typically have a CRE Holland code and highly value support
CConventional
RRealistic
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Airfield Operations Specialists
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.47
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.37
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.36
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.22
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.97
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.97
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Integrity
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Cooperation
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Leadership
3.9
Independence
3.9
Initiative
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.7
💡 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
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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