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Career overview · SOC 53-1041

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

Supervise and coordinate the activities of ground crew in the loading, unloading, securing, and staging of aircraft cargo or baggage. May determine the quantity and orientation of cargo and compute aircraft center of gravity. May accompany aircraft as member of flight crew and monitor and handle cargo in flight, and assist and brief passengers on safety and emergency procedures. Includes loadmasters.

Also called: Cargo Supervisor · Ground Operations Supervisor · Line Service Supervisor (LSS) · Loadmaster · Ramp and Cargo Supervisor · Ramp Supervisor

Median pay (national)
$63,940
$38,010–$96,300 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
10,160
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+5.2%
~1,100 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for aircraft cargo handling supervisors shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $96,300 versus $38,010 at the bottom 10% — 2.5x. The median of $63,940 leaves roughly 51% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +5.2% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 1,100 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 38 states with released data, Virginia pays the most for this role (median $89,210, +40% vs the national median), while Kentucky sits lowest at $34,150 — a 161% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Monitoring
  • Learning Strategies
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Mathematics
  • Active Learning
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Distribute cargo to maximize use of space.
  • Determine the quantity and orientation of cargo, and compute an aircraft's center of gravity.
  • Direct ground crews in the loading, unloading, securing, or staging of aircraft cargo or baggage.
  • Train new employees in areas such as safety procedures or equipment operation.
  • Calculate load weights for different aircraft compartments, using charts and computers.
  • Accompany aircraft as a member of the flight crew to monitor and handle cargo in flight.

Tools & technology

  • Facebook
  • Cargo tracking system software
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • Warehouse management system WMS
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Word

Knowledge areas

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Transportation
  • English Language
  • Administration and Management
  • Administrative
  • Personnel and Human Resources
  • Mathematics