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Salary comparison

Airfield Operations Specialists vs. Anesthesiologists: Who Earns More?

Anesthesiologists out-earn Airfield Operations Specialists by $335K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Airfield Operations Specialists land at $56,850 and Anesthesiologists at $391,490. The education gap is real: airfield operations specialist programs typically require no formal educational credential, while anesthesiologist programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Airfield Operations Specialists is Kentucky ($123,290); for Anesthesiologists it's Washington ($499,990).

Airfield Operations Specialists
Anesthesiologists
Median salary
$56,850
$391,490
Hourly rate
$27.33/hr
$188.22/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$35,870
$101,460
Senior level (90th %)
$102,120
$557,130
Education required
No formal educational credential
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
15,190
38,760
Job growth (10-year)
4.2%
3.2%
Category
Transportation
Healthcare
Top-paying state
Kentucky
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Airfield Operations Specialists median pay.

State
Airfield Operations Specialists
Anesthesiologists
Kentucky
$123,290
$347,960
Washington
$84,050
$499,990
Alabama
$78,590
$392,350
Virginia
$72,250
$488,310
New Mexico
$69,090
$393,970
Georgia
$66,790
$230,000
Idaho
$62,510
$449,990
Florida
$57,650
$465,370
Ohio
$57,140
$490,530
Pennsylvania
$55,660
$461,390
New York
$42,000
$445,660
Tennessee
$40,180
$330,620
Wisconsin
$39,400
$443,990
Indiana
$37,730
$394,060
South Carolina
$33,590
$238,970

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Airfield Operations Specialists or Anesthesiologists?

Anesthesiologists earn more nationally. The median is $56,850 for Airfield Operations Specialists versus $391,490 for Anesthesiologists, a difference of $335K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Airfield Operations Specialists or Anesthesiologists?

Airfield Operations Specialists has the better 10-year outlook at 4.2% projected growth, compared to 3.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Airfield Operations Specialists or Anesthesiologists?

Airfield Operations Specialists typically requires no formal educational credential. Anesthesiologists requires doctoral or professional degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Airfield Operations Specialists get paid the most?

Kentucky is the top-paying state for Airfield Operations Specialists at $123,290/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Kentucky, Airfield Operations Specialists earn $123,290 vs. $347,960 for Anesthesiologists. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Airfield Operations Specialists salary breakdownView →Full Anesthesiologists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Airfield Operations Specialists by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Anesthesiologists by take-home payExplore →How to become a airfield operations specialistsGuide →How to become a anesthesiologistsGuide →