Inspect aircraft, maintenance procedures, air navigational aids, air traffic controls, and communications equipment to ensure conformance with Federal safety regulations.
Aviation Inspectors
SOC: 53-6051 O*NET: 53-6051.01
Median Salary
$92,100
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Inspect aircraft, maintenance procedures, air navigational aids, air traffic controls, and communications equipment to ensure conformance with Federal safety regulations.
What does a Aviation Inspectors do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$40,330
10th percentile
Early Career
$58,780
25th percentile
Median
$92,100
50th percentile
Experienced
$108,890
75th percentile
Top Earners
$138,670
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$40,330
25th
$58,780
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$92,100
Mean: $88,540
75th
$108,890
90th
$138,670
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $98,340 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $58,780 and $108,890
- •Salary spread is 54.4% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 24,500 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:25,100
Top Industries
Support Activities for Transportation16.2%
Support Activities for Air Transportation10.4%
Manufacturing8.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.2%
Annual Openings:2,300
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)25,100
Current
2035 (Projected)25,600
+2.2%
+600
Employment Change
+2.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Aviation Inspectors professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 46 locations
New York
3,720 jobs$93,4202.44x
Texas
2,290 jobs$101,4401.03x
California
1,790 jobs$83,0000.62x
Florida
1,630 jobs$101,4701.04x
Illinois
1,130 jobs$47,9901.18x
New Jersey
930 jobs$49,2501.37x
Georgia
880 jobs$95,0301.15x
Arizona
830 jobs$62,2501.63x
Alabama
670 jobs$108,1402.01x
Michigan
540 jobs$35,8900.78x
Washington
490 jobs$104,2500.87x
Oklahoma
470 jobs$111,0701.73x
Colorado
460 jobs$81,8201.01x
South Carolina
440 jobs$80,4901.22x
Ohio
430 jobs$77,0100.50x
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 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Quality Control Analysis
100%
#2
Mechanical
100%
#3
Near Vision
100%
#4
Operations Monitoring
92%
#5
Problem Sensitivity
92%
#6
Active Listening
82%
#7
Oral Comprehension
82%
#8
Transportation
80%
#9
Speaking
74%
#10
Flexibility of Closure
74%
Skills Overview
Quality Control Analysis
advanced5.0
100%
Mechanical
advanced5.0
100%
Near Vision
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.6
92%
Problem Sensitivity
advanced4.6
92%
Active Listening
intermediate4.1
82%
Oral Comprehension
intermediate4.1
82%
Transportation
intermediate4.0
80%
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:
Quality Control Analysis
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Mechanical
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Near Vision
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Problem Sensitivity
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance82%
skills
4.1/5.0
Oral Comprehension
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Transportation
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Flexibility of Closure
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders89%
5 shared skills
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators80%
5 shared skills
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic78%
5 shared skills
Etchers and Engravers78%
5 shared skills
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders78%
5 shared skills
Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers75%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Mechanical
- ✓Transportation
Learn on the Job:
- →Troubleshooting
- →English Language
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Mechanical
- ✓Transportation
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Active Listening
- ★Mechanical
- ★Transportation
- ★Near Vision
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 Aviation Inspectors
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
Adobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Android
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Google Android
Microsoft Excel
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
Varies
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
Varies
🤝
Customer Interaction
NONE
💡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 varies environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)General Responsibilities (14)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Prepare and submit reports after completion of freight shipments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Inspect shipments to ensure that freight is securely braced and blocked.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Record details about freight conditions, handling of freight, and any problems encountered.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Advise crews in techniques of stowing dangerous and heavy cargo.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Observe loading of freight to ensure that crews comply with procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Recommend remedial procedures to correct any violations found during inspections.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Inspect loaded cargo, cargo lashed to decks or in storage facilities, and cargo handling devices to determine compliance with health and safety regulations and need for maintenance.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Notify workers of any special treatment required for shipments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Direct crews to reload freight or to insert additional bracing or packing as necessary.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Check temperatures and humidities of shipping and storage areas to ensure that they are at appropriate levels to protect cargo.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •41% 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 Aviation Inspectors
💡 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?
Aviation Inspectors professionals typically have a CRI Holland code and highly value support
CConventional
RRealistic
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Aviation Inspectors
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.84
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.59
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.48
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.44
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.37
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.32
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.8
Dependability
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.5
Self-Control
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.4
Independence
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Cooperation
4.3
Analytical Thinking
4.2
💡 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
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Aviation Inspectors.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Aviation Inspectors
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