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Salary comparison

Aerospace Engineers vs. Airfield Operations Specialists: Who Earns More?

Aerospace Engineerss out-earn Airfield Operations Specialistss by $78K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Aerospace Engineerss land at $134,830 and Airfield Operations Specialistss at $56,750. The education gap is real: aerospace engineer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while airfield operations specialist programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Aerospace Engineerss is District of Columbia ($175,350); for Airfield Operations Specialistss it's Washington ($82,540).

Aerospace Engineers
Airfield Operations Specialists
Median salary
$134,830
$56,750
Hourly rate
$64.82/hr
$27.28/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$85,350
$35,200
Senior level (90th %)
$205,850
$111,030
Education required
Bachelor's degree
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
68,440
16,640
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Engineering
Transportation
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Aerospace Engineers median pay.

State
Aerospace Engineers
Airfield Operations Specialists
Washington
$158,600
$82,540
Maryland
$158,220
$64,480
California
$143,860
$61,100
Arizona
$135,620
$80,260
Alabama
$133,080
$78,270
Utah
$130,670
$61,400
Florida
$127,680
$62,600
Texas
$126,470
$77,460
Michigan
$115,540
$60,990
Oregon
$112,460
$75,710
Oklahoma
$109,920
$74,290
Pennsylvania
$108,510
$59,480
Arkansas
$103,900
$58,280
Nevada
$100,920
$60,250
Alaska
$100,610
$66,250

Source: BLS OEWS May 2024. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Aerospace Engineerss or Airfield Operations Specialistss?

Aerospace Engineerss earn more nationally. The median is $134,830 for Aerospace Engineerss versus $56,750 for Airfield Operations Specialistss, a difference of $78K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

Which has better job growth, Aerospace Engineers or Airfield Operations Specialists?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Aerospace Engineers or Airfield Operations Specialists?

Aerospace Engineers typically requires bachelor's degree. Airfield Operations Specialists requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Aerospace Engineerss get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Aerospace Engineerss at $175,350/year, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Aerospace Engineers vs. Airfield Operations Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Aerospace Engineerss earn $158,600 vs. $82,540 for Airfield Operations Specialistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aerospace Engineers salary breakdownView →Full Airfield Operations Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aerospace Engineerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Airfield Operations Specialistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a aerospace engineersGuide →How to become a airfield operations specialistsGuide →