Aircraft Service Attendants vs. Airfield Operations Specialists: Who Earns More?
Airfield Operations Specialists out-earn Aircraft Service Attendants by $16K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aircraft Service Attendants land at $40,450 and Airfield Operations Specialists at $56,850. The education gap is real: aircraft service attendant programs typically require no formal educational credential, while airfield operations specialist programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Aircraft Service Attendants is Maryland ($71,740); for Airfield Operations Specialists it's Kentucky ($123,290).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Aircraft Service Attendants median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Aircraft Service Attendants or Airfield Operations Specialists?
Airfield Operations Specialists earn more nationally. The median is $40,450 for Aircraft Service Attendants versus $56,850 for Airfield Operations Specialists, a difference of $16K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Aircraft Service Attendants or Airfield Operations Specialists?
Aircraft Service Attendants has the better 10-year outlook at 5.1% projected growth, compared to 4.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Aircraft Service Attendants or Airfield Operations Specialists?
Aircraft Service Attendants typically requires no formal educational credential. Airfield Operations Specialists requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Aircraft Service Attendants get paid the most?
Maryland is the top-paying state for Aircraft Service Attendants at $71,740/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Aircraft Service Attendants vs. Airfield Operations Specialists pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Aircraft Service Attendants earn $50,520 vs. $84,050 for Airfield Operations Specialists. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.