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What is a flight operations specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Rodney Foster
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a flight operations specialist. For example, did you know that they make an average of $24.27 an hour? That's $50,480 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 21% and produce 22,100 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a flight operations specialist?

Rodney FosterRodney Foster LinkedIn profile

Instructor - Aviation Maintenance Technology Instructor - Airframe & Powerplant Technology, Orange Coast College

Orange Coast College (OCC) teaches Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) and Avionics. Although the Government has dampened air travel by putting up restrictions to prevent a Covid-19 spread, there is still a certified mechanic/skilled labor shortage. I believe all our students will have permanent jobs within a six-month search. OCC AMT is listed as an essential workforce by the state of California and is back in classes full-time, face-to-face labs, and online lectures. Our next semester registration maximum filled in two days and still has over 35 additional students per class on the waiting list.
ScoreFlight Operations SpecialistUS Average
Salary
3.9

Avg. Salary $50,480

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.7

Growth rate 21%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.61%

Asian 5.26%

Black or African American 9.94%

Hispanic or Latino 17.61%

Unknown 7.05%

White 59.51%

Gender

female 37.80%

male 62.20%

Age - 38
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 - 38
Stress level
8.7

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a flight operations specialist

  1. Explore flight operations specialist education requirements

    Most common flight operations specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    44.2 %

    Associate

    20.0 %

    High School Diploma

    20.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific flight operations specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    NOTAMs18.01%
    Flight Training14.42%
    Federal Aviation Administration9.35%
    Weather Reports6.67%
    DOD6.34%
  3. Complete relevant flight operations specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New flight operations specialists 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 a flight operations specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real flight operations specialist resumes.
  4. Research flight operations specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Personalize and manage a customer SQL network database to consolidate all incoming orders from different marketplaces.
    • Attend NCO leadership school Airforce community college.
    • Receive and relay emergency aircraft information, updates and post notices to airmen (NOTAMS).
    • Company NCO's are selected as master trainers for camp defense against air assault infantry attack.
  5. Prepare your flight operations specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your flight operations specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a flight operations specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable flight operations specialist resume templates

    Build a professional flight operations specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your flight operations specialist resume.
    Flight Operations Specialist Resume
    Flight Operations Specialist Resume
    Flight Operations Specialist Resume
    Flight Operations Specialist Resume
    Flight Operations Specialist Resume
    Flight Operations Specialist Resume
    Flight Operations Specialist Resume
    Flight Operations Specialist Resume
    Flight Operations Specialist Resume
  6. Apply for flight operations specialist jobs

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

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

How did you land your first flight operations specialist job

Zippi

Are you a flight operations specialist?

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Average flight operations specialist salary

The average flight operations specialist salary in the United States is $50,480 per year or $24 per hour. Flight operations specialist salaries range between $32,000 and $79,000 per year.

Average flight operations specialist salary
$50,480 Yearly
$24.27 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do flight operations specialists rate their job?

5/5

Based on 1 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Flight operations specialist reviews

profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2021
Pros

1. Arrangement of daily duty of everyday flight . 2.Surpervise of my staff according to their location. 3.breifing my crew about weather and flight condition or nature.

Cons

cancelling of flight due mismanage


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

helps in learning the process and is is responsible for managing the flow of a workplace and optimizing day-to-day activities. They track and analyze various reports, such as activity budgets, operation activity


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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