53 Series · SOC 53-2022
Airfield Operations Specialists Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $56,850
- Median / year
- $102,120
- Top 10% earn
- +4.2%
- Growth '23–'33
- 15,190
- US workers
Airfield Operations Specialists earn a median of $56,850 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $56,850, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $35,870 (10th percentile) to $102,120 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 15,190 US workers. Kentucky pays the most ($123,290), since pay varies by state and metro area.
The pay verdict
Airfield Operations Specialists earn a median of $56,850, putting them below the typical US occupation and higher than 43% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Transportation and Material Moving, it ranks #24 of 50 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 4.2% by 2033.
- $56,850
- Median annual wage
- Top 57%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #24 of 50
- in Transportation and Material Moving
- 2.8×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: Kentucky at $123,290. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Airfield Operations Specialists (SOC 53-2022) pays a national median of $56,850 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $35,870 at the 10th percentile to $102,120 at the 90th, with a mean of $63,610 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 15,190 Americans work in this occupation across 36 reporting states and 54 metro areas.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +4.2% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as about average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 1,600 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and long-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of C for this role, with a fatality rate of 17.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 4.8 per 100.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Kentucky pays the highest state median at $123,290, which is +117% above the national figure. The top metro is Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ at $88,420 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.
Median Salary
$56,850
per year
Median Hourly
$27.33/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$63,610
average
Employment
15,190
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Airfield Operations Specialists pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$56,850 Bottom 43% higher than 43% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 53-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Airfield Operations Specialists; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Among 25 53-series occupations with growth data, Airfield Operations Specialists sits on the slower-growing side at +4.2% growth and $56,850 median pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+4.2%
About average
Annual Openings
1,600
per year (projected)
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-Job Training
Long-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Moderate Risk
Safety Grade (BLS 2023)
Fatality Rate
17.5/100K
Injury Rate
4.8/100
Danger Index
28/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Airfield Operations Specialists roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Knowledge Areas
Key Tasks
- ▸ Inspect airfield conditions to ensure compliance with federal regulatory requirements.
- ▸ Implement airfield safety procedures to ensure a safe operating environment for personnel and aircraft operation.
- ▸ Conduct inspections of the airport property and perimeter to maintain controlled access to airfields.
- ▸ Assist in responding to aircraft and medical emergencies.
- ▸ Initiate or conduct airport-wide coordination of snow removal on runways and taxiways.
- ▸ Manage wildlife on and around airport grounds.
- ▸ Coordinate communications between air traffic control and maintenance personnel.
- ▸ Coordinate with agencies to meet aircrew requirements for billeting, messing, refueling, ground transportation, and transient aircraft maintenance.
- ▸ Perform and supervise airfield management activities, including mobile airfield management functions.
- ▸ Plan and coordinate airfield construction.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
10th Percentile
$35,870
25th Percentile
$42,000
Median
$56,850
75th Percentile
$77,340
90th Percentile
$102,120
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
View all 36 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky | $123,290 | +117% above national |
| 2 | Washington | $84,050 | +48% above national |
| 3 | Alabama | $78,590 | +38% above national |
| 4 | Arizona | $77,570 | +36% above national |
| 5 | Colorado | $77,500 | +36% above national |
| 6 | Oregon | $75,130 | +32% above national |
| 7 | Virginia | $72,250 | +27% above national |
| 8 | Alaska | $71,510 | +26% above national |
| 9 | New Mexico | $69,090 | +22% above national |
| 10 | Georgia | $66,790 | +17% above national |
| 11 | California | $62,600 | +10% above national |
| 12 | Idaho | $62,510 | +10% above national |
| 13 | Michigan | $61,780 | +9% above national |
| 14 | Nevada | $61,350 | +8% above national |
| 15 | Texas | $60,910 | +7% above national |
| 16 | Utah | $59,780 | +5% above national |
| 17 | Florida | $57,650 | +1% above national |
| 18 | Ohio | $57,140 | +1% above national |
| 19 | Massachusetts | $56,020 | 1% below national |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $55,660 | 2% below national |
| 21 | Puerto Rico | $50,180 | 12% below national |
| 22 | Oklahoma | $49,200 | 13% below national |
| 23 | Iowa | $48,870 | 14% below national |
| 24 | North Carolina | $45,820 | 19% below national |
| 25 | Mississippi | $44,290 | 22% below national |
| 26 | New Jersey | $42,480 | 25% below national |
| 27 | New York | $42,000 | 26% below national |
| 28 | Missouri | $40,360 | 29% below national |
| 29 | Tennessee | $40,180 | 29% below national |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $39,400 | 31% below national |
| 31 | South Dakota | $37,860 | 33% below national |
| 32 | Indiana | $37,730 | 34% below national |
| 33 | North Dakota | $37,550 | 34% below national |
| 34 | Montana | $33,990 | 40% below national |
| 35 | South Carolina | $33,590 | 41% below national |
| 36 | West Virginia | $28,670 | 50% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 54 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $88,420 | +56% above national |
| 2 | Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $87,360 | +54% above national |
| 3 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $86,880 | +53% above national |
| 4 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $85,680 | +51% above national |
| 5 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $84,050 | +48% above national |
| 6 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $81,950 | +44% above national |
| 7 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $81,740 | +44% above national |
| 8 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $81,350 | +43% above national |
| 9 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $78,920 | +39% above national |
| 10 | North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $78,240 | +38% above national |
| 11 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $76,100 | +34% above national |
| 12 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $69,560 | +22% above national |
| 13 | Anchorage, AK | $65,570 | +15% above national |
| 14 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $64,320 | +13% above national |
| 15 | North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $64,050 | +13% above national |
| 16 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $63,550 | +12% above national |
| 17 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $63,100 | +11% above national |
| 18 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $61,740 | +9% above national |
| 19 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $61,350 | +8% above national |
| 20 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $60,910 | +7% above national |
| 21 | Columbus, OH | $60,830 | +7% above national |
| 22 | Jacksonville, FL | $59,790 | +5% above national |
| 23 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $58,630 | +3% above national |
| 24 | Cleveland, OH | $57,790 | +2% above national |
| 25 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $57,330 | +1% above national |
| 26 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $56,020 | 1% below national |
| 27 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $54,960 | 3% below national |
| 28 | Pittsburgh, PA | $54,090 | 5% below national |
| 29 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $53,800 | 5% below national |
| 30 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $51,620 | 9% below national |
| 31 | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $50,180 | 12% below national |
| 32 | Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $49,380 | 13% below national |
| 33 | Tulsa, OK | $49,190 | 13% below national |
| 34 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $48,980 | 14% below national |
| 35 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $48,590 | 15% below national |
| 36 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $47,550 | 16% below national |
| 37 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $47,490 | 16% below national |
| 38 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $47,440 | 17% below national |
| 39 | Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $47,170 | 17% below national |
| 40 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $46,060 | 19% below national |
| 41 | Greensboro-High Point, NC | $45,750 | 20% below national |
| 42 | East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $45,490 | 20% below national |
| 43 | Upper East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $44,290 | 22% below national |
| 44 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $43,930 | 23% below national |
| 45 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $42,000 | 26% below national |
| 46 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $41,070 | 28% below national |
| 47 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $40,520 | 29% below national |
| 48 | Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $38,390 | 32% below national |
| 49 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $38,160 | 33% below national |
| 50 | Rapid City, SD | $37,940 | 33% below national |
| 51 | Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $34,430 | 39% below national |
| 52 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $34,330 | 40% below national |
| 53 | Fort Wayne, IN | $31,770 | 44% below national |
| 54 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $31,200 | 45% below national |
Similar Occupations in the Same Category
Other roles in SOC major group 53 (transportation and material moving) with comparable pay and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Airfield Operations Specialists make? ▼
What state pays Airfield Operations Specialists the most? ▼
What education do you need to become a Airfield Operations Specialists? ▼
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Is Airfield Operations Specialists a good career? ▼
How does Airfield Operations Specialists pay vary by state? ▼
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What to do with this data
How to use Airfield Operations Specialists pay figures in a real decision
- For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $77,340/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: Kentucky leads at $123,290/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.