Refit
Career overview · SOC 53-2022

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 · Airport Operations Agent · Airport Operations Coordinator · Airport Operations Officer · Airport Operations Specialist · Flight Follower

Median pay (national)
$56,750
$35,200–$111,030 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
16,640
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.2%
~1,600 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for airfield operations specialists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $111,030 versus $35,200 at the bottom 10% — 3.2x. The median of $56,750 leaves roughly 96% 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 +4.2% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 1,600 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, Washington pays the most for this role (median $82,540, +45% vs the national median), while South Carolina sits lowest at $33,490 — a 146% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.

Tailor your resume to Airfield Operations Specialists

Honest tailoring

See how your resume lines up with Airfield Operations Specialists

Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.

Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.

Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

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

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Conduct inspections of the airport property and perimeter to maintain controlled access to airfields.
  • Assist in responding to aircraft and medical emergencies.
  • Perform and supervise airfield management activities, including mobile airfield management functions.
  • Train operations staff.
  • 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.
  • Initiate or conduct airport-wide coordination of snow removal on runways and taxiways.
  • Manage wildlife on and around airport grounds.
  • Coordinate communications between air traffic control and maintenance personnel.
  • Plan and coordinate airfield construction.

Tools & technology

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Oracle Database
  • SAP software
  • Aircraft noise monitoring system software
  • Apache HTTP Server
  • Decision Support Technologies Propworks
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Ground transportation management system
  • Internet Protocol Television Systems
  • Operations scheduling software

Knowledge areas

  • Public Safety and Security
  • Transportation
  • English Language
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Education and Training
  • Telecommunications
  • Administration and Management
  • Law and Government