Airfield Operations Specialist Salary in 2026

    SOC: 53-2022.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $56,750
    per year
    Salary Range
    $35K – $111K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    16,640
    employed
    Job Growth
    +4.2%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Airfield Operations Specialists Make?

    Airfield Operations Specialists earn a median annual salary of $56,750 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $35,200 at the 10th percentile to $111,030 at the 90th percentile — a range of $75,830. The highest-paying state is Washington at $82,540.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$35,200
    25th percentile$41,220
    Median (50th)$56,750
    75th percentile$78,320
    90th percentile$111,030
    10th: $35,200Median: $56,75090th: $111,030
    Section 02

    Airfield Operations Specialist Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    Washingtontop$82,540
    Arizona$80,260
    Alabama$78,270
    Texas$77,460
    Oregon$75,710
    Oklahoma$74,290
    Colorado$72,720
    Alaska$66,250
    Maryland$64,480
    Florida$62,600
    Montana$61,550
    Utah$61,400
    California$61,100
    Michigan$60,990
    Nevada$60,250
    Pennsylvania$59,480
    Arkansas$58,280
    Nebraska$57,610
    Ohio$56,750
    Idaho$50,050
    North Dakota$49,970
    Mississippi$48,570
    Missouri$48,130
    Iowa$47,990
    Georgia$46,670
    Tennessee$45,630
    Louisiana$45,360
    New Mexico$45,140
    South Dakota$44,860
    Indiana$43,420
    New Jersey$41,450
    New York$40,980
    Virginia$39,860
    West Virginia$38,470
    Wisconsin$37,480
    North Carolina$36,050
    South Carolina$33,490
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Airfield Operations Specialists

    Washington
    Highest paying
    $82,540
    top metro salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
    $82,360
    $-180 vs highest
    Arizona
    $80,260
    $-2,280 vs highest
    Alabama
    $78,270
    $-4,270 vs highest
    Texas
    $77,460
    $-5,080 vs highest
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
    $73,280
    $-9,260 vs highest
    Alaska
    $66,250
    $-16,290 vs highest
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR
    $63,170
    $-19,370 vs highest
    Section 04

    Airfield Operations Specialist Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$35,200 – $41,220
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$56,750
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$78,320
    Senior (15+ yrs)$111,030+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as an Airfield Operations Specialist

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Airfield Operations Specialists in Washington earn $82,540 — $25,790 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($78,320) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 06

    Airfield Operations Specialist Salary vs Similar Careers

    CareerMedian salary
    Airfield Operations Specialistthis career$56,750
    Facilities Manager$104,690
    Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager$102,010
    Firefighting and Prevention Worker Supervisor$92,430
    Security Worker Supervisor$58,610

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    PathScorer compares your skills to Airfield Operations Specialist requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 53-2022.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.