How much does a airfield operations specialist make?
The median airfield operations specialist in the United States earns $56,850 per year, about $27.33 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all airfield operations specialists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-2022.
Airfield operations specialist salary range
Pay for airfield operations specialists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,870 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $102,120. The average (mean) wage of $63,610 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,870 | $17.25 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $42,000 | $20.19 | |
| Median (50th) | $56,850 | $27.33 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $77,340 | $37.18 | |
| 90th percentile | $102,120 | $49.10 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for airfield operations specialists (SOC 53-2022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Airfield operations specialist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Airfield operations specialists earn the most in Kentucky at $123,290 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $28,670. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $123,290 | 290 |
| Washington | $84,050 | 150 |
| Alabama | $78,590 | N/A |
| Arizona | $77,570 | 160 |
| Colorado | $77,500 | 70 |
| Oregon | $75,130 | 50 |
| Virginia | $72,250 | 280 |
| Alaska | $71,510 | 160 |
| New Mexico | $69,090 | 50 |
| Georgia | $66,790 | 340 |
| California | $62,600 | 1,660 |
| Idaho | $62,510 | 40 |
| Michigan | $61,780 | 440 |
| Nevada | $61,350 | 150 |
| Texas | $60,910 | 1,310 |
| Utah | $59,780 | 290 |
| Florida | $57,650 | 2,320 |
| Ohio | $57,140 | 360 |
| Massachusetts | $56,020 | 380 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,660 | 340 |
| Oklahoma | $49,200 | 80 |
| Iowa | $48,870 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $45,820 | 610 |
| Mississippi | $44,290 | N/A |
| New Jersey | $42,480 | N/A |
| New York | $42,000 | 2,190 |
| Missouri | $40,360 | 310 |
| Tennessee | $40,180 | 190 |
| Wisconsin | $39,400 | 100 |
| South Dakota | $37,860 | 190 |
| Indiana | $37,730 | 350 |
| North Dakota | $37,550 | 80 |
| Montana | $33,990 | 90 |
| South Carolina | $33,590 | 90 |
| West Virginia | $28,670 | 60 |
State median wages for airfield operations specialists (SOC 53-2022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for airfield operations specialists
The BLS projects employment of airfield operations specialists to grow 7.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 15,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 16,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,500 openings a year for airfield operations specialists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an airfield operations specialist
The typical entry-level education for airfield operations specialists is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an airfield operations specialist earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Kentucky, $123,290) and the lowest (West Virginia, $28,670) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 15,190 people work as airfield operations specialists in the United States. At $56,850 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Airfield operations specialist salary FAQ
How much does an airfield operations specialist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an airfield operations specialist is $27.33. The middle half of airfield operations specialists earn between $20.19 and $37.18 per hour.
What is the highest airfield operations specialist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of airfield operations specialists earn more than $102,120 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an airfield operations specialist make a year?
The median annual salary for an airfield operations specialist is $56,850. The average (mean) wage of $63,610 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an airfield operations specialist a well paid job?
At $56,850 a year, an airfield operations specialist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 15,190 people work as airfield operations specialists in the United States.
Which state pays airfield operations specialists the most?
Kentucky has the highest median salary for airfield operations specialists at $123,290 a year. Washington ($84,050) and Alabama ($78,590) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an airfield operations specialist a good career?
Employment of airfield operations specialists is projected to grow 7.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an airfield operations specialist?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for airfield operations specialists as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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