Airport Operations Specialist
Impact: Safety-critical
Airport Operations Specialists ensure the safe takeoff and landing of commercial and military aircraft. They coordinate between air-traffic control and maintenance personnel, dispatch aircraft, utilize airfield landing and navigational aids, implement airfield safety procedures, monitor and maintain flight records, and apply knowledge of weather information. Duties include inspecting airfield conditions, implementing safety procedures, conducting perimeter inspections, assisting in emergency responses, coordinating snow removal, managing wildlife, and monitoring aircraft movements. They also train staff, coordinate with various agencies, provide aircrews with necessary information, and maintain air-to-ground radio contact. The role involves monitoring and reporting on airfield facilities, operating various motor vehicles during emergencies, and ensuring flights are undisturbed. They also track military flight plans and issue notices to flight crews regarding airfield status.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- Team-oriented
- Client facing
- Sometimes
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Low
- Schedule flexibility
- Rigid
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 40 hours per week
- Stress level
- High
At a glance
- Median salary
- $55,400 - $68,120
- Entry-level
- $35,880 - $46,080
- Senior
- $89,200 - $95,330
- Growth by 2033
- 4.2%
- Demand
- Growing
- Freelance potential
- None
- Salary growth potential
- Moderate
- Typical student debt
- $10,000 - $30,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Airfield Inspection
- Emergency Response
- Air Traffic Coordination
Soft skills
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
Technical complexity: High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- High school diploma or equivalent for entry-level, with many specialists pursuing associate's or bachelor's degrees for advancement. Vocational training or an associate's degree is common.
- Licensing
- Varies by State
- Years to mid-career
- 3-5 years
- Years to senior
- 5-8 years
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Can advance to roles such as material-moving machine supervisor, air traffic controller, freight conductor, operations manager, and logistics manager.
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- Low
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Growing
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 3.5/10
- Meaning
- 4/10
- Work-life balance
- 3/10
- Prestige
- 6/10
- Social perception
- High