Airfield Operations Specialists
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.
Also called: Airfield Operations Specialist, Airfield Services Officer, Airline Agent, Airline Dispatcher, Airport Agent, Airport Operations Agent
Median pay
$56,850
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$35,870 – $102,120
People employed
15,190
Holland code
CRE
Conventional · Realistic · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 2.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 3.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 4.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 5.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 6.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 7.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
The hard parts
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Tight deadlines are common
Airfield Operations Specialists pay by state
Annual median pay by state (35 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What airfield operations specialists do
- 01Inspect airfield conditions to ensure compliance with federal regulatory requirements.
- 02Implement airfield safety procedures to ensure a safe operating environment for personnel and aircraft operation.
- 03Conduct inspections of the airport property and perimeter to maintain controlled access to airfields.
- 04Assist in responding to aircraft and medical emergencies.
- 05Initiate or conduct airport-wide coordination of snow removal on runways and taxiways.
- 06Manage wildlife on and around airport grounds.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Cooperation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from airfield operations specialists
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors86% · +2%
- Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters84% · +37%
- Traffic Technicians78% · +4%
- Police Identification and Records Officers76% · group pay
- Fire Inspectors and Investigators75% · +34%
Change into airfield operations specialists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors84% · $58,170
- Police Identification and Records Officers76% · $93,790
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists75% · $56,870
- Forest and Conservation Technicians74% · $54,560
- Government Property Inspectors and Investigators74% · $80,730
Majors that lead here
- Air Traffic Controller
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.