Guide to Aviation Jobs

Which Types of Jobs Are Available for Those Interested in Aviation

If you've ever flown in an airplane--successfully--you can appreciate the work of aviation professionals. The field of aviation encompasses a broad range of occupations. Airplane maintenance technicians inspect aircraft components to prevent failures and malfunctions and perform repairs. Pilots are responsible for the operation of airplanes and helicopters. Other aviation careers include flight attendants, ticket agents, and cargo handlers.

Many aviation jobs are located at airports, but airplane maintenance technicians also work at hangars and repair stations. Airplane maintenance specialists tend to work eight-hour shifts, but hours can be irregular, as airports often operate around the clock. Irregular hours are typical for many positions in aviation: Pilots flying large aircraft are limited to 100 hours of flight time per month and tend to work several days in a row, similar to flight attendants. Pilots and flight attendants spend a good deal of time away from home, but aviation employers generally cover hotel and living expenses for work-related travel.

Aviation jobs attract people who enjoy travel. Airlines sometimes offer travel discounts to employees and their families, making aviation jobs with large passenger airlines highly sought. If aviation maintenance is your interest, you will develop skills you can apply to a range of other professions, such as car repair.

One potential disadvantage of the aviation profession is that hours can be long and the work can be strenuous. Airplane maintenance jobs can be stressful. Pilots and flight attendants can be prone to fatigue and often spend significant time away from home. No matter which aviation jobs spark your interest, you have to commit to keeping up with your profession. Commercial pilots are more likely to return home at the end of the day, although they often work irregular hours as well.

Formal Training Required to Work in Aviation

Aviation jobs have different training requirements, depending on the position. Airplane maintenance technicians and pilots must be certified by the Federal Aviation Commission (FAA). Mechanics usually take coursework and build skills through FAA-certified aviation degree programs, which generally take between one and two years to complete. Mechanics must be at least 18 years old, speak English fluently, and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Helpful courses for the profession include mathematics, physics, chemistry, electronics, computer science, and mechanical drawing.

Bachelor's degrees are increasingly required for flight attendants and pilots, whether through aviation degree programs or traditional four-year colleges and universities. Flight attendants usually take a 4 to 8-week training course and then obtain FAA certification. Pilots attend military or civilian flight school. Both pilots and flight attendants must be in excellent physical health.

The Typical Career Path of Someone Interested in Aviation

Aviation jobs attract people with a range of skills and interests. Airplane maintenance technicians tend to be detail-oriented and skilled problem solvers. Pilots and flight attendants often enter their professions out of a love for flying and travel. Aviation professionals who work at airports usually enjoy working with the public.

Airplane maintenance jobs can lead to careers in aviation engineering, electrical engineering, or communications engineering, with additional education. Some airplane maintenance technicians use their skills to work in car repair and related fields.

Pilots often remain in their professions but move across airlines, although some choose to become instructors or administrators. Flight attendants seeking advancement choose to work as recruiters, supervisors, or in-flight managers.

Job Outlook and Salary Information for Those Interested in Aviation

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), your best chance of securing an aviation job can be found at regional and low-cost carriers, rather than in major airlines, where jobs are highly competitive. Overall, the BLS projects 7 percent job growth in aviation over the 2008-2018 decade. While emergent Asian economies should spur an increase in international travel, aviation jobs may be affected by economic dips and surges.

As of 2009, the median annual earnings of air transportation occupations were as follows:

• Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers: $106,240
• Commercial pilots: $65,840
• Aircraft mechanics and service technicians: $52,810
• First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers: $46,910
• Other transportation workers: $32,000
• Cargo and freight agents: $37,270
• Flight attendants: $40,010
• Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks: $31,2560
• Customer service representatives: $30,290
• Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers: $23,110

Airplane maintenance salaries were highest for those working in scheduled air transportation.