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Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians vs. Aircraft Service Attendants: Who Earns More?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians out-earn Aircraft Service Attendants by $42K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians land at $82,890 and Aircraft Service Attendants at $40,450. The education gap is real: aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while aircraft service attendant programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians is Washington ($125,160); for Aircraft Service Attendants it's Maryland ($71,740).

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Aircraft Service Attendants
Median salary
$82,890
$40,450
Hourly rate
$39.85/hr
$19.45/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$59,050
$33,830
Senior level (90th %)
$125,160
$57,610
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
11,280
31,300
Job growth (10-year)
8.1%
5.1%
Category
Engineering
Transportation
Top-paying state
Washington
Maryland

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 Service Attendants
Washington
$125,160
$50,520
Alaska
$105,780
$46,760
California
$99,000
$46,800
Colorado
$98,990
$44,500
Maryland
$91,820
$71,740
Massachusetts
$79,420
$44,190
Ohio
$79,310
$43,310
Kansas
$78,350
$45,960
Utah
$76,680
$46,900
Arizona
$75,230
$43,780
Minnesota
$71,240
$46,930
Michigan
$69,840
$41,360
New Mexico
$66,460
$45,280
New York
$64,480
$44,600
Alabama
$62,130
$43,090

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 Service Attendants?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians earn more nationally. The median is $82,890 for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians versus $40,450 for Aircraft Service Attendants, a difference of $42K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Aircraft Service Attendants?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians has the better 10-year outlook at 8.1% projected growth, compared to 5.1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Aircraft Service Attendants?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Aircraft Service Attendants 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 Service Attendants pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians earn $125,160 vs. $50,520 for Aircraft Service Attendants. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Aircraft Service Attendants salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Aircraft Service Attendants by take-home payExplore →How to become a aerospace engineering and operations technologists and techniciansGuide →How to become a aircraft service attendantsGuide →