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Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians vs. Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors: Who Earns More?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians out-earn Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors by $25K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians land at $82,890 and Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors at $58,170. The education gap is real: aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while aircraft cargo handling supervisor programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians is Washington ($125,160); for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors it's Georgia ($81,380).

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Median salary
$82,890
$58,170
Hourly rate
$39.85/hr
$27.97/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$59,050
$41,690
Senior level (90th %)
$125,160
$92,160
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
11,280
9,760
Job growth (10-year)
8.1%
5.2%
Category
Engineering
Transportation
Top-paying state
Washington
Georgia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians median pay.

State
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Washington
$125,160
$61,090
Alaska
$105,780
$58,230
Nevada
$102,980
$70,740
California
$99,000
$60,530
Colorado
$98,990
$79,260
Oregon
$81,100
$61,340
Virginia
$81,040
$78,420
Connecticut
$79,410
$78,770
Ohio
$79,310
$79,650
Florida
$78,560
$62,240
Arizona
$75,230
$74,780
New Mexico
$66,460
$72,760
Indiana
$62,520
$75,880
Alabama
$62,130
$59,460
Pennsylvania
$60,770
$75,620

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians earn more nationally. The median is $82,890 for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians versus $58,170 for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors, a difference of $25K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians has the better 10-year outlook at 8.1% projected growth, compared to 5.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians at $125,160/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians vs. Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians earn $125,160 vs. $61,090 for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors by take-home payExplore →How to become a aerospace engineering and operations technologists and techniciansGuide →How to become a aircraft cargo handling supervisorsGuide →