Career comparison
Airfield Operations Specialist vs. Airline Pilot
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Airline pilots earn more at the median ($232,140 vs. $56,850), while airfield operations specialists usually get to work faster (A year or more of training of training). Airfield operations specialists keep airport runways, taxiways and ramps safe and running. Airline pilots fly passenger and cargo jets for airlines.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Airfield Operations Specialist | Airline Pilot | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $56,850 ($27.33/hr) | $232,140 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,870 – $102,120 | $106,710 – $463,830 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +7.8% (much faster than average) | +8.3% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,500 | 11,200 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | A year or more of training | Years of flight training and hours |
| Key credential | AAAE Certified Member | ATP certificate |
| Work setting | Specialists work outdoors on airfields and in operations centers.. | Pilots work in cockpits and travel for multiday trips.. |
What each job does
Airfield Operations Specialist
- Inspect runways and taxiways
- Check airfield lighting
- Manage wildlife hazards
- Coordinate snow removal
- Respond to emergencies
Airline Pilot
- Plan flights
- Inspect aircraft
- Fly aircraft
- Communicate with ATC
- Monitor systems
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high responsibility and in-demand. Both are part of the transportation & logistics field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose airfield operations specialist if…
- I love aviation
- I notice small hazards
- I stay calm in emergencies
Choose airline pilot if…
- I love flying
- I stay calm under pressure
- I follow procedures
Still torn? Take the Airfield Operations Specialist fit quiz and the Airline Pilot fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, airfield operations specialist or airline pilot?
Airline Pilots earn more at the median: $232,140 versus $56,850 for airfield operations specialists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Airfield Operations Specialists typically train faster (A year or more of training) than airline pilots (Years of flight training and hours).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects airline pilots to grow +8.3% from 2025–35, compared with +7.8% for airfield operations specialists.