Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Long-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Airfield operations specialists help keep airfields running safely and efficiently. This role combines operational awareness, coordination, and communication in an aviation setting. Nationally, there are about 17,000 people working in this occupation, and employment is projected to grow by 4.2%. With around 2,000 annual openings, there is a steady flow of opportunities from growth and turnover. The national median annual salary of $56,750 indicates a solid earning path, with some locations offering higher pay. Strong performance in this field relies on being detail oriented, using problem solving and decision-making skills, and communicating clearly through speaking, listening, writing, and reading. Leadership, customer service, and comfort with mechanical concepts and computers also play a key role. For people interested in an operations-focused role connected to aviation, airfield operations specialist offers a defined pathway with clear skills and education expectations and a variety of geographic options to consider.
Airfield operations specialists earn a national median annual salary of $56,750, with pay varying significantly by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $42,000 in New York to $84,050 in Washington and $77,500 in Colorado. California and Massachusetts fall in between at $62,600 and $56,020, respectively. Metro areas show similar variation. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro reports a median salary of $42,000, while San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara is much higher at $86,880, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont is $85,680. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area lists $43,930, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton is at $56,020. These differences mean that earnings potential can change substantially depending on where you work, even within states or metros that have strong overall opportunity scores. Job seekers can use these figures to balance desired salary levels with other factors such as location preferences and job availability.
Airfield operations specialists have national employment of about 17,000 workers, with projected employment growth of 4.2%. This growth indicates a positive trajectory for the occupation over the projection period. There are an estimated 2,000 annual openings, reflecting both new positions and the need to replace workers who change roles or leave the labor force. The same 4.2% projected growth rate appears across the highlighted states and metro areas, suggesting consistent expectations for expansion in multiple regions. For someone planning a career path, these numbers point to an occupation with an established employment base and ongoing hiring needs. While the data show that opportunities exist both nationally and in specific locations, individuals still need to compare local employment levels, as some states and metros have far larger airfield operations workforces than others. Overall, the combination of a defined employment base, positive growth, and recurring annual openings makes this a career with continuing demand.
Location plays a major role in the opportunity profile for airfield operations specialists. Among states, California stands out with a median salary of $62,600 and employment of 1,660, paired with an opportunity score of 67.38. New York has the largest listed employment at 2,190 but a lower median salary of $42,000 and a similar growth rate of 4.2%. Washington and Colorado show much higher median salaries—$84,050 and $77,500 respectively—but smaller employment levels at 150 and 70. Massachusetts offers a median of $56,020 and employment of 380, with a strong opportunity score. Metro data reveal additional contrasts. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro combines a high opportunity score of 77.27 and employment of 2,090 with a median salary of $42,000. In contrast, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a similar opportunity score (77.42) but a much higher median salary of $86,880 and a smaller workforce. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont and Boston-Cambridge-Newton provide mid-to-high salaries and moderate employment. These patterns give job seekers options to prioritize either higher pay, larger job markets, or a mix of both.
The typical education requirement for airfield operations specialists is a high school diploma or equivalent. This means that the occupation is accessible without a college degree, while still offering the chance to develop and apply a broad set of skills. The role favors people who are detail oriented and comfortable with problem solving and decision making. Strong speaking and listening abilities, along with writing and reading skills, support clear communication in daily work. Leadership and customer service skills are also important, reflecting the need to coordinate with others and respond to various stakeholders. The inclusion of science, mechanical, and computers and information technology among the top skills shows that comfort with technical concepts and tools can be beneficial. Critical and analytical thinking ties these abilities together, helping specialists interpret information and make sound judgments. For students and career changers, focusing on these competencies can help align their background with the expectations of this field, even when entering with a high school education.
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