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Airfield Operations Specialist

💰 Earn $52K-$79K
📚 High School Diploma or GED
⏱️ 12–24 Month Training
📈 4.2% Job Growth
  • Ensure safe aircraft operations and coordinate with air-traffic control and maintenance.
  • Play a crucial role in aviation safety, impacting both commercial and military flights.
  • Unique chance to work with advanced navigational aids and weather data.
Airfield Operations Specialist
What Airfield Operations Specialists DoEnsure 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.
  • 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.
Airfield Operations Specialists Education, Salary, and Growth
Minimum EducationHigh School Diploma or GED
Career ProspectsExcellent (Increasing by 5% or more)
Training Time1 to 2 years
Job Openings1,600 Annually
Median Earnings
$61,100 in California
$56,750 Nationally

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Is This Career Right For You?
YOU Like
  • Influencing or leading others
  • Using data or completing tasks
  • Working with my hands
you value
  • Having support
  • Having freedom
  • Job security
you are skilled in
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Service Orientation
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Speaking
Go Deeper: Airfield Operations Specialists Explained
Airfield Operations SpecialistExplore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.
How Do You Train for This Career?

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's DegreeA bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 4-5+ years
Vocational SchoolA vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.
🎓 Skills-Focused
⏱️ Finish in 6 months - 2 years
Associate's DegreeAn associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 2-3 years
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Updated April 2026. Data sourced from O*NET and Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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