Great Non-Pilot Aviation Jobs

While being an airline pilot might be the most obvious aviation career, it’s certainly not the only one. The aviation industry in the U.S. is huge, and it takes many different professionals to ensure that it runs smoothly. Here are a few other interesting aviation careers you might not have heard of, the necessary education to enter the career, and what wages you could expect.

Air Traffic Controller

  • Job Description: While pilots may get all the accolades when you land safely at the airport, you should really be thanking the numerous air traffic controllers that also helped you land in one piece. Air traffic controllers watch over the planes in an airport’s airspace and en route, provide pilots with information in flight, and coordinate take offs and landings. Most are employed by the Federal Aviation Administration. 
  • Necessary Education: There are a few ways to apply for positions as an FAA air traffic controller. One is to attend the FAA’s Air Traffic Training Initiative, offered by schools across the country. Another is to apply after completing at least three progressive years of work experience or a four-year college degree. The final way is to have previous FAA or Department of Defense experience.
  • Job Outlook: Air traffic controller jobs are expected to grow as fast as average over the next few years; job opportunities should be good as current controllers retire or leave the field.
  • Earnings: Between $71,000 and $144,000 a year.

Avionics Technician

  • Job Description: For all the fancy instruments and radios in an aircraft to be of any use, they must be properly maintained and calibrated. Avionics technicians are skilled workers who install, repair, and test the gadgetry in the control boards of commercial jets, missiles, and spacecraft.
  • Necessary Education: The most common way to enter the field is to attend an FAA approved Aviation Maintenance Technician school. These programs usually last one to two years, although some award associate and bachelor’s degrees.
  • Job Outlook: For those who have training from an FAA-certified school, the job opportunities should be good. Openings at major airlines are expected to be limited, however.
  • Earnings: Between $40,000 and $56,000 a year.

Aerospace Engineer

  • Job Description: These engineers are the ones that design commercial airplanes, as well as missiles, satellites, and space shuttles. They work in research and development on new aviation technology, and oversee the production and manufacture of aircraft.
  • Necessary Education: All entry-level aerospace engineering jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering or a related field. A master’s degree is often necessary for advanced or managerial positions.
  • Job Outlook: Jobs are expected to grow as fast as average for aerospace engineers, although opportunities should be good as new military and spacecraft contracts increase the demand for aerospace engineering skills.
  • Earnings: Between $72,000 and $114,000 a year.

Aviation Meteorologist

  • Job Description: Aviation meteorologists are specialized weather forecasters who work for the National Weather Service. They supply crucial information to air traffic controllers, pilots, and the FAA about weather conditions, to help determine when it’s safe to fly or not.
  • Necessary Education: The National Weather Service requires meteorologists to have a bachelor’s degree in meteorology or a related natural science, with relevant course work in physics and math.
  • Job Outlook: The job market for atmospheric scientists is expected to grow 15 percent by 2018, which is faster than the national average for all jobs.
  • Earnings: About $94,000 a year.

Sources:

Air Traffic Controllers. (2011) Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Atmospheric Scientists. (2011) Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Engineers. (2011) Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians. (2011) Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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