Agricultural Technicians vs. Airfield Operations Specialists: Who Earns More?
Airfield Operations Specialists out-earn Agricultural Technicians by $7K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Agricultural Technicians land at $49,630 and Airfield Operations Specialists at $56,850. The education gap is real: agricultural technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while airfield operations specialist programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Agricultural Technicians is Iowa ($64,070); for Airfield Operations Specialists it's Kentucky ($123,290).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Agricultural Technicians median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Agricultural Technicians or Airfield Operations Specialists?
Airfield Operations Specialists earn more nationally. The median is $49,630 for Agricultural Technicians versus $56,850 for Airfield Operations Specialists, a difference of $7K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Agricultural Technicians or Airfield Operations Specialists?
Agricultural Technicians has the better 10-year outlook at 4.3% projected growth, compared to 4.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Agricultural Technicians or Airfield Operations Specialists?
Agricultural Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Airfield Operations Specialists requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Agricultural Technicians get paid the most?
Iowa is the top-paying state for Agricultural Technicians at $64,070/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Agricultural Technicians vs. Airfield Operations Specialists pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Arizona, Agricultural Technicians earn $62,990 vs. $77,570 for Airfield Operations Specialists. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.