Insight

Highest-Paying Aviation Careers

Pilot, engineer, ATC, and aviation leadership roles ranked by median compensation across global aviation hubs.

#RoleMedian Salary
1Chief Operating Officer$385k
2Airport Director$285k
3Chief Pilot$245k
4Captain$195k
5Business Aviation Manager$195k
6Private Jet Pilot$175k
7Airline Operations Manager$175k
8Flight Safety Manager$155k
9Flight Test Engineer$145k
10Cargo Pilot$138k
11Airline Pilot$135k
12Charter Operations Manager$135k
13Aerodynamics Engineer$125k
14Pilot$115k
15Inflight Manager$115k
16Airport Operations Manager$115k
17Cargo Operations Manager$115k
18Aerospace Engineer$115k
19Aircraft Design Engineer$115k
20Systems Engineer$115k
21Quality Assurance Manager$115k
22Air Traffic Controller$115k
23Airspace Planner$115k
24Aviation HR Manager$115k
25Base Maintenance Engineer$105k
26Charter Pilot$102k
27Aircraft Maintenance Engineer$98.0k
28Line Maintenance Engineer$98.0k
29First Officer$92.0k
30Regulatory Compliance Specialist$92.0k
31Commercial Pilot$78.0k
32Airport Duty Manager$78.0k
33Aviation Safety Officer$78.0k
34Flight Instructor$72.0k
35Flight Dispatcher$72.0k
36Avionics Technician$72.0k
37Aviation Recruiter$72.0k
38Cabin Supervisor$62.0k
39Aircraft Technician$62.0k
40Flight Coordinator$62.0k
41Air Freight Specialist$58.0k
42Aircraft Mechanic$58.0k
43Senior Cabin Crew$52.0k
44Airport Operations Officer$52.0k
45Ramp Supervisor$52.0k
46Cargo Supervisor$52.0k
47Aviation Logistics Coordinator$52.0k
48Ground Operations Executive$44.0k
49Gate Agent$36.0k
50Ramp Agent$34.0k
51Passenger Service Agent$34.0k
52Cargo Agent$34.0k
53Cabin Crew$32.0k
54Flight Attendant$32.0k

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