Airfield Operations Specialists vs. Animal Caretakers: Who Earns More?
Airfield Operations Specialists out-earn Animal Caretakers by $21K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Airfield Operations Specialists land at $56,850 and Animal Caretakers at $35,360. The education gap is real: airfield operations specialist programs typically require no formal educational credential, while animal caretaker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Airfield Operations Specialists is Kentucky ($123,290); for Animal Caretakers it's District of Columbia ($44,210).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Airfield Operations Specialists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Airfield Operations Specialists or Animal Caretakers?
Airfield Operations Specialists earn more nationally. The median is $56,850 for Airfield Operations Specialists versus $35,360 for Animal Caretakers, a difference of $21K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Airfield Operations Specialists or Animal Caretakers?
Animal Caretakers has the better 10-year outlook at 12.1% projected growth, compared to 4.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Airfield Operations Specialists or Animal Caretakers?
Airfield Operations Specialists typically requires no formal educational credential. Animal Caretakers requires high school diploma or equivalent. 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. Animal Caretakers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Airfield Operations Specialists earn $84,050 vs. $40,570 for Animal Caretakers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.