What is the salary of a Airfield Operations Specialist?

The typical salary range is $39,725 - $79,450 per year.

Automotive, Aviation, & MaritimeGrowingBright Outlook

Airfield Operations Specialist

Operational-level

Also known as: Airfield Operations Specialist, Airfield Services Officer, Airline Dispatcher, Airport Agent

Automotive, Aviation, & MaritimeBachelor's Degree

Job Description

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 OperationsAviation SafetyAir Traffic ManagementAirport ManagementLogisticsOperations ManagementTransportationTechnicalAerospaceAutomotive

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies

Adobe Photoshop Extensible markup language XML Intuit QuickBooks Linux Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word Oracle Database SAP software

In-demand software

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office software

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Bright Outlook

O*NET flags this career as a Bright Outlook occupation: grows rapidly over the next decade.

Projected growth

+7.8%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

1,500

per year (US)

Jobs today

15,300

in 2025 → 16,500 (2035)

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook.

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication

High

Working in a team

High

Contact with others

High

Freedom to make decisions

High

Time pressure

High

Time spent sitting

Moderate

Working outdoors

High

Indoor, climate-controlled

High

Dealing with customers

High

Level of competition

Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Growing Job Market

This field is experiencing expansion with increasing job opportunities and career advancement potential. Market demand is rising, with new positions being created.

Career ladder

Often before this role

Airfield Operations Assistant
Ramp Agent
Aircraft Fueler

Airfield Operations Specialist

Where it can lead

Air Traffic Controller
Airport Operations Manager
Aviation Safety Inspector

Impact of AI on this Job

AI could enhance predictive maintenance for airfield equipment, improving safety and efficiency. Automated systems might assist in real-time air traffic monitoring and incident response, providing specialists with advanced decision-making support tools. However, human oversight remains crucial for complex and unforeseen situations, shifting the role towards supervision and high-level problem-solving.

Salary

$56,850

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position