Job Outlook & Salary
Discover the job outlook and salary expectations for different careers in aviation. We provide data on employment trends, job growth and average salaries for various positions in the industry.
The job outlook and salary for the aviation industry can vary depending on the specific career path. Here are some examples of the job outlook and median annual salaries for a few of the most common careers in aviation, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
Pilot - The job outlook for airline and commercial pilots is expected to grow by 5% from 2023 to 2033, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers was $226,600 (May 2024). The median annual wage for commercial pilots was $122,670 (May 2024).
Air Traffic Controller - The job outlook for air traffic controllers is expected to grow by 3% from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for air traffic controllers was $144,580 (May 2024).
Aircraft & Avionics Equipment Mechanics & Technicians - The job outlook for aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians is expected to grow by 5% from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians was $78,680 (May 2024). The median annual wage for avionics technicians was $81,390 (May 2024).
Flight Attendant - The job outlook for flight attendants is expected to grow by 10% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for flight attendants was $67,130 (May 2024).
Aerospace Engineer - The job outlook for aerospace engineers is expected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for aerospace engineers was $134,830 (May 2024).
Aviation Management - The job outlook for aviation management professionals is not available, but jobs in this field are expected to grow in line with the aviation industry. The annual median wage for transportation, storage and distribution managers, which includes aviation management professionals, was $102,010 (May 2024).
Aviation Safety - The job outlook for aviation safety professionals is not available, but jobs in this field are expected to grow in line with the aviation industry. The median annual wage for occupational health and safety specialists, which includes aviation safety professionals, was $83,910 (May 2024).
Overall, the aviation industry can offer competitive salaries and job security for those with the necessary education, training and experience. However, job availability and salary can vary depending on the specific career path and the employer.