The United States government employs a number of people in aviation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Transportation Safety Administration (NTSB), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are among the largest employers. However, there are many other opportunities available in federal, state, and local government.
|
Career Title |
Salary Range |
Typical Education Requirements |
|
Accident Investigator |
$16 - $45 / hr |
College degree, aviation industry experience |
|
Administrative Assistant |
$7 - $28 / hr |
High School diploma, two year college degree preferred |
|
Aeronautical Engineer |
$16 - $40 /hr |
Engineering degree in field |
|
Aerospace Engineers |
$16 - $40 /hr |
Engineering degree in field |
|
Air Traffic Controller |
$18 - $65 /hr |
FAA training; two year college degree preferred |
|
Astronaut |
$18 - $50 /hr |
Engineering, physical science, physics, or similar advanced degree |
|
Aviation Attorney |
$18,000 - $120,000 |
Law degree |
|
Aviation Medical Examiner |
$65,000 - $90,000 |
Medical degree |
|
Cartographer |
$18 - $32 /hr |
Cartography degree |
|
Civil Engineer |
$14 - $38 /hr |
Engineering degree in field |
|
Customs Agent |
$12 - $35 / hr |
Two year college degree preferred, plus special training; |
|
Drug Enforcement Agent |
$12 - $35 / hr |
College degree, special training; experience preferred |
|
Electrical Engineer |
$16 - $40 /hr |
Engineering degree |
|
Flight Physician |
$65,000 - $90,000 |
Medical degree |
|
Helicopter Pilot |
$12 - $70 / hr |
College preferred; most require 4 year degree, pilots license, and aviation medical certificate |
|
Information Systems Specialist |
$14 - $38 / hr |
College degree in field |
|
Marketing / Public Relations |
$12 - $34 / hr |
Four year college degree in field |
|
Mechanical Engineer |
$16 - $36 /hr |
Engineering degree in field |
|
Meteorologist |
$15 - $32 /hr |
Meteorology degree; experience preferred |
|
Military Pilot |
$16 - $38 / hr |
Four year college degree required, and aviation medical certificate |
|
Operations Supervisor |
$14 - $36 /hr |
College degree in field |
|
Safety Inspector |
$18 - $40 /hr |
Engineering degree and / or experience as a pilot or aircraft mechanic |
|
Secretary |
$7 - $28 /hr |
High School diploma, two year college degree preferred |
|
Security Specialist |
$12 - $32 /hr |
Two year college degree preferred, law enforcement experience |
|
Sky Marshal |
$14 - $36 /hr |
Two year college degree preferred, police academy, law enforcement experience |
|
Technicians (Avionics/Electronics) |
$12 - $32 /hr |
High School diploma, technical school, two year college degree preferred |
|
Test Pilot |
$16 - $75 / hr |
Four year college degree preferred, plus pilots license and aviation medical certificate |
|
Travel Agents |
$14 - $25 / hr |
High School diploma, special training |
|
Law Enforcement |
$18 - $45 / hr |
College degree in field |
|
Fish and Game Department |
$16 - $35 / hr |
College degree in field |
