Airfield Operations Specialists Salary
The median pay for a airfield operations specialists in Washington is $84,050/year ($40.41/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $119K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $82,394 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 32.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $84K get you in Washington?
About airfield operations specialists
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for airfield operations specialists, local pay runs about 48% higher than the U.S. median of $57K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level airfield operations specialists (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $84K. Top earners bring in $119K or more, a $69K spread from bottom to top.
Airfield Operations Specialists salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $84K | +0% | 140 |
Compare to other states
Track airfield operations specialists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a airfield operations specialist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $84K, rent takes 32.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,700/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for airfield operations specialists in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new airfield operations specialists typically earn — is $51K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,031/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 60% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is airfield operations specialist a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 48% above the national median — $84K here vs. $57K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for airfield operations specialists?
Washington pays $84K median vs. the U.S. average of $57K — that’s +48%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $82K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do airfield operations specialists make in Washington?
The median is $84,050 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,520, and experienced airfield operations specialists can clear $119,490. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $84K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,626/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 32.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a airfield operations specialists salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median airfield operations specialists salary is worth about $82,394 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do airfield operations specialists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.