There are airport jobs in the USA offering opportunities for a fulfilling career. With a vast array of job options, the aviation business has long been one of the most exciting and fulfilling industries to work in. Air traffic controllers, cabin staff, sales managers, pilots, and aircraft engineers are just a few of the countless positions available. Let’s face it, though: choosing a job is heavily influenced by pay. With a wide variety of jobs available at major airports across the US, airports may be fascinating places to work. With positions offered by airports, airlines, and even private vendors, airport jobs cover a wide range of responsibilities and skill levels.
Best Airport Jobs in the USA
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Airport Planner
The average annual pay nationwide is $68,068. One kind of urban planner who creates and sketches master plans for new airports or airport upgrades is an airport planner. To make sure the facility is safe and compliant, these experts must conduct environmental impact studies and examine pertinent rules. These experts usually hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture, urban planning, regional planning, or a closely related discipline.
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Aeronautical Engineer
This role pays $103,595 on average per year. Professionals in engineering who develop aircraft are known as aeronautical engineers. They are in charge of investigating projects to make sure they can be completed within a certain budget, assessing designs to make sure they satisfy client demands and legal requirements, and testing their designs to find any problems. A bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a similar field is required at the very least for aeronautical engineers.
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Flight Dispatcher
On average, a flight dispatcher earns $47,551 per year in the United States. Assisting with flight path planning while considering aircraft performance and payload, en route winds, weather and turbulence forecasts, airspace limitations, and airport circumstances is the responsibility of a flight dispatcher. These experts usually work in an airline’s operations center. People must pass a test and obtain certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to work as a flight dispatcher.
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Aircraft Mechanic
The average salary for an aircraft mechanic is $60,267 a year. Their main responsibilities include repairing and performing normal and preventative maintenance on airplanes, helicopters, and a wide range of other aircraft. Candidates must complete an FAA-approved aircraft maintenance program or obtain at least 18 months of on-the-job experience working on airframes to be considered for this position. To become a licensed aviation mechanic, a person must also pass the written, oral, and practical exams administered by the FAA.
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Airport Operations Manager
An airport operations manager earns $61,457 on average per year. To make sure that every aircraft is running smoothly and under FAA standards, the airport operations manager collaborates with air traffic controllers, pilots, terminal agents, ground crews, and other airport employees at airports and airfields. A bachelor’s degree in business administration, operations management, or a similar discipline is required for this position. Additionally, five to ten years of experience in an aviation-related role is required for this position.
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Airport Security Officer
An airport security officer earns an average of $48,607 a year in the US. The major responsibilities of these airport jobs are to keep the airport safe and secure. They accomplish this by manually searching and examining luggage and screening both travelers and airport employees. They compare flight information with passenger identification. This job requires at least a high school degree or GED.
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Airport Engineer
The average salary for an airport engineer is $79,724 a year. Engineers with expertise in building and maintaining airport infrastructure, including takeoff and landing zones, are known as airport engineers. They are in charge of investigating the intricacies of the airport’s location, testing several site areas, designing and modeling the new airport building, and coming up with a structurally solid plan. With prior expertise in civil, mechanical, or structural engineering, the majority of airport engineers hold master’s degrees in these fields.
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Aircraft Maintenance Technician
An aircraft maintenance technician in the United States earns an average of $62,795 a year. Inspecting, performing, or overseeing preventative maintenance, repairs, and modifications to aircraft and aircraft systems are the duties of aircraft maintenance technicians. To obtain an FAA certification, a candidate must complete an aircraft maintenance program at an FAA-approved institution or obtain at least 18 months of airframe-related work experience. To obtain the license, candidates must also pass the written, oral, and practical FAA tests.
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Pilot
The average pay for a Pilot in America is $59,486. Pilots fly planes that carry passengers and goods. They are in charge of pre-flight inspections, coordinating with air traffic control, evaluating and modifying flight routes, and informing passengers of any delays or circumstances. Pilots might work for regional, national, or international airlines or fly private aircraft. Pilots working for commercial airlines must accrue 1,500 hours of flight time to obtain an Airline Transport Pilot certificate or license.
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Airport Manager
An airport manager earns a yearly salary of $61,457 on average. Airport administrators are in charge of overseeing the daily activities of the airport. Budget planning, vendor contract management, weather-related delay management, customer complaint handling, and FAA compliance are a few of the duties that airport managers must perform. Prior airport security and management experience is usually necessary for airport manager roles. A bachelor’s degree in business administration, aviation management, or a related discipline might also be required.
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Aircraft Fueler
Aircraft fuelers earn an average yearly salary of $46,299. As members of the airport ground crew, airport fuelers fill up every aircraft under the requirements of each airline. A background in mechanics is beneficial because these people must have a solid understanding of every mechanic involved in the fueling process. Because they spend the majority of their shift standing and walking, and working in all types of weather, aircraft fuelers also need to be strong and have endurance.
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Air Traffic Controller
The average pay in the USA is $47,375 per year for this role. Air traffic controllers’ main responsibilities include coordinating aircraft movement within the airfield and along flight routes. Among their responsibilities are interacting with pilots, giving orders for takeoff and landing, keeping an eye on planes using radar and computer programs, and visually inspecting the airfield. Air traffic controllers in the United States must be citizens of the country. A bachelor’s degree and successful completion of an FAA course are also prerequisites for these airport jobs.
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Flight Attendant
Flight attendants in the United States earn $55,126 a year in average. Flight attendants’ main responsibilities include making sure passengers are comfortable and safe throughout flights. Serving refreshments, showcasing safety features, interacting with the pilot, and handling any issues that may arise during the trip are all included in this. A high school degree or GED is necessary for flight attendants. A flight attendant must finish a three- to six-week formal training program after being hired by an airline, and they must then apply to the FAA for a certificate of demonstrated performance.
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Avionics Technician
An avionics technician earns $62,358 a year on average. Installing, fixing, and maintaining equipment for airplanes, helicopters, and other fixed-wing aircraft falls within the purview of avionics technicians. Because they are in charge of ensuring that every part of the aircraft is hygienic, operating as intended, and in need of repair, these experts are essential to ensuring the safety of both passengers and crew members. These individuals need to finish an 18-month course offered by an FAA-approved university in order to become avionics technicians.
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Airline Reservation Agent
According to Indeed, this role pays up to $43,489 a year. Airline reservation agents’ main responsibilities usually include working at airport counters, information desks, and airline customer service centers. They welcome travelers and assist them in booking flights. Additionally, they give passengers details about flight times, dates, availability, and costs. Applicants must have prior customer service experience and a high school diploma or GED.
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Aircraft Sales Representative
An aircraft sales representative handles every step of the aircraft purchase or sale process with the dexterity of a master. One must have outstanding problem-solving abilities. Also, a solid understanding of aircraft kinds and technical details is required to fill this aviation position. One of the everyday duties in this airline career is handling intricate negotiations. You are also responsible for addressing any problems that come up during the aircraft sale process. Based on statistical data, the average annual fixed pay for an Aircraft Sales Representative in the United States is around $80,655, with a range of $55,500 to $118,500. It is important to note that bonuses, which could greatly improve the transaction, are not included in this number.
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Air Charter Broker
An air charter broker position can be of interest to you if you enjoy organizing charter flights. It is available on a variety of aircraft, from private jets to commercial airlines. Serving as a liaison between customers looking for charter flights and the aircraft operators offering these services is the responsibility of this aviation position. Evaluating the client’s particular needs and requirements is one of the main responsibilities of this position. This includes obtaining details regarding the flight’s number of passengers, departure time, preferred destination, and any special requirements.
According to the client’s specifications, the air charter broker then locates an aircraft that meets the size or range criteria and bargains over prices to get the best deal. Following the selection of a suitable aircraft, the air charter broker is in charge of organizing every facet of the charter flight, such as setting up ground transportation, catering, and other services. What benefits does the air charter broker obtain for doing a multi-skilled role? With bonuses excluded, the average fixed compensation for this aviation position is $82,428 annually, with a range of $45,000 to $165,000.
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Manager of Aircraft Maintenance
One important person in charge of managing every facet of aircraft maintenance and guaranteeing adherence to legal requirements is the aviation maintenance manager. Coordination of maintenance tasks is required for this position to maintain aircraft in a safe, airworthy, and ideal operating condition. The creation and execution of maintenance plans and schedules is one of the responsibilities of this aviation position. To avoid mechanical aircraft breakdowns, this entails scheduling and coordinating regular maintenance checks, inspections, and servicing.
In order to guarantee productivity, the aircraft maintenance manager is also in charge of overseeing the crew of mechanics and maintenance professionals. Budgeting and cost control for all aircraft maintenance activities are also part of the job. While adhering to the strictest safety and quality regulations, the managers create and oversee maintenance budgets. They also evaluate expenses and spot areas where money should be. Due to hard work, the remuneration for this aviation position starts at $83,000 and can go up to $116,500 each year, with an average of $94,800.
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Aviation Consultant
An individual who offers knowledgeable counsel and direction to airlines, aircraft leasing companies, insurance companies, maintenance providers, and other industry groups is known as an aviation consultant. Strategic planning, regulatory compliance, safety evaluations, aviation market analysis, financial evaluation, training development, and even environmental impact studies for different businesses are among the duties and obligations that fall under this job.
As of 2024, the average annual compensation for aviation consultants in the US is between $66,700 and $165,700, with roughly $97,172 being the average. According to ZipRecruiter’s most recent data, entry-level aviation consultants begin their careers earning an average of $49,716 annually. Mid-level consultants with three to six years of experience, on the other hand, make about $75,065 a year. The average yearly salary for seasoned experts can be over $108,148 due to their experience.
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Aerospace Engineer
There is no denying who is at the forefront of aircraft technology advancement. This is when it comes to driving innovation in aviation. Aerodynamics, propulsion systems, materials science, structural analysis, and control systems are just a few of the many fields that fall under the purview of an aerospace engineer’s job description. Many people find this aviation career intriguing. Since it involves designing, developing, and testing aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and other aerospace equipment. These are airport jobs that offer good opportunities.
To develop and produce innovative technologies that push the limits of aircraft technology growth, aerospace engineers work in conjunction with scientific teams, engineers, and technicians. Aerospace engineers not only design and construct systems but also make sure they are safe, dependable, and operate well. Aerospace engineers collaborate closely with regulatory organizations to ensure that all aircraft systems adhere to the highest requirements. According to statistics, their yearly compensation ranges from $71,000 to $140,000. However, there is an average of approximately $100,000, depending on their level of experience.
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Aviation Lawyer
Aviation lawyers work in airport jobs, and they are good careers. Gaining expertise in this field could lead to a demanding but lucrative career in aviation. Particularly for individuals who handle intricate aviation laws or liability concerns. Ensuring that the clients follow aviation laws and regulations established by international aviation organizations. These are associations like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and government agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are one of the main duties of this position. Aviation lawyers deal with litigation and dispute settlement related to land and in-flight events. They handle disputes on injuries and property damage, in addition to regulatory problems.
They might negotiate settlements, defend clients in liability or negligence cases, or represent clients in court. Contracts and agreements on the acquisition and sale, leasing, financing, and maintenance of aircraft are also crucially drafted and reviewed by aviation lawyers. They guarantee that these agreements safeguard the interests of their clients and adhere to applicable legislation. The usual yearly compensation range for entry-level aviation lawyers is approximately $70,000. An experienced lawyer’s annual salary, however, might range from $79,000 to $131,000, with an average of $100,600.
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Flight Instructor
The next generation of pilots is shaped by flight instructors. They provide knowledge of aerodynamics, basic flight concepts, aircraft controls, navigational skills, and emergency protocols. To teach pilot trainees theoretical concepts, they hold ground-based training sessions. They also provide hands-on flight instruction to show pilots how to perform practical skills and maneuvers in the cockpit.
Additionally, throughout the pilot training process, Flight Instructors provide exercises, lectures, and instructional materials to support skill development. Organizing flight lessons and assisting aspiring pilots in improving their flying abilities before obtaining certification is a duty of this aviation position. A Chief Flight Instructor’s annual compensation can range from $110,000 to $166,000, with an average of a respectable $127,815.
Conclusion
Airport jobs in the United States offer an opportunity to experience the aviation industry while making an impact. There is a variety of high-paying careers with growth opportunities. Technical roles and customer-facing roles offer top-tier compensation for those working airport jobs. The aviation industry rewards education and qualification. Furthermore, these roles offer travel perks for individuals, among other benefits.