Transportation & Logistics
Airfield Operations Specialists
Also called: Airfield Operations Specialist, Airport Operations Agent, Airport Operations Coordinator, Airport Operations Officer
US median pay
$56,850
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+7.8%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
1,500
15,300 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Manage wildlife on and around airport grounds.
- Coordinate communications between air traffic control and maintenance personnel.
- Perform and supervise airfield management activities, including mobile airfield management functions.
- Plan and coordinate airfield construction.
- Monitor the arrival, parking, refueling, loading, and departure of all aircraft.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Coordination3.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.4/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Instructing3.2/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Systems Evaluation3.1/5
- Systems Analysis3.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security4.5/5
- Transportation4.2/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- Education and Training3.7/5
- Telecommunications3.6/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree51%
- High school diploma34%
- Some college15%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.