How To Become An Air Operations Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is an air operations manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Ben Littlepage

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an air operations manager. For example, did you know that they make an average of $38.82 an hour? That's $80,744 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 6% and produce 189,200 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to an air operations manager?

Dr. Ben Littlepage

Professor, Murray State University

I believe skills associated with organizational systems (e.g. procedures, processes) and hybridized management are essential for the field. Organizations (e.g. schools, institutions) will continue to be lean for a variety of reasons. The ability to achieve results by refining systems and maximizing resources cannot be understated. Hybrid work schedules and communication are not leaving education. Leaders that embrace hybridized technologies for assessment, employee satisfaction and development, and content delivery will remain competitive in the face of a private market looking to capitalize on laggard leaders.

ScoreAir Operations ManagerUS Average

Salary

6.3

Avg. Salary $80,744

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.36%

Black or African American 6.17%

Hispanic or Latino 15.17%

Unknown 4.34%

White 67.49%

Gender

female 21.03%

male 78.97%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an air operations manager

Explore air operations manager education requirements

Most common air operations manager degrees

Bachelor's

58.0 %

Associate

26.4 %

Master's

8.1 %

Start to develop specific air operations manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Logistics	19.01%
DOT	17.60%
Air Operations	11.72%
DOD	6.13%
TSA	5.08%

Complete relevant air operations manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New air operations managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an air operations manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real air operations manager resumes.

Research air operations manager duties and responsibilities

Manage security with C-TPAT and TSA.
Finance and billing accountability across Medicaid, manage care commercial insurance, insurance verification, contract management, and benefits administration.
Coordinate flight operations logistics, base on aircraft availability, maintenance, flight crew availability and mission priority.
Check in and weigh shipments according to TSA standards and regulations.

Apply for air operations manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an air operations manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do air operations managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Air operations manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020

Pros

The interaction with different agencies and people from around the world the chance to learn the ins and outs of an airport also learning the different call signs and lighting's having the authority and responsibility over millions of dollars in equipment and the responsibility of keeping the lives of families safe

Cons

Nothing

A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019

Pros

I love being able to mold my team and the distribution center to the culture of respect and accountability! Having senior and executive leadership support is a huge positive factor in making this happen!!

Cons

Long hours and calls outside of regular business hours are the norm!

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019

Pros

I love it and I wish I was back at my old job but I guess it is what it is

Cons

Not being loyal

What is an air operations manager and how to become one

What general advice would you give to an air operations manager?

Air operations manager career paths

Key steps to become an air operations manager

Explore air operations manager education requirements

Most common air operations manager degrees

Start to develop specific air operations manager skills

Complete relevant air operations manager training and internships

Research air operations manager duties and responsibilities

Apply for air operations manager jobs

How did you land your first air operations manager job

Average air operations manager salary

How do air operations managers rate their job?

Air operations manager reviews