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Air Operations Officer Salary in the United States

How much does an Air Operations Officer make in the United States? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Air Operations Officer in the United States is $77,048 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, an Air Operations Officer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $88,542
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,113 to $83,065
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,709
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Air Operations Officer Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Air Operations Officer Salaries

An Air Operations Officer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Air Operations Officer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Air Operations Officer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $74,839
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $75,603
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $76,797
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $77,466
  • Expert (over 8 years): $77,633
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Air Operations Officer less than 1 year $74,839
Early Career Level Air Operations Officer 1-2 years $75,603
Mid-Level Level Air Operations Officer 2-4 years $76,797
Senior-Level Level Air Operations Officer 5-8 years $77,466
Expert Level Air Operations Officer over 8 years $77,633

How Do Air Operations Officer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Air Operations Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $85,308.
  • California: $84,984.
  • Massachusetts: $83,851.

Top Paying Cities for Air Operations Officer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $97,181
  • San Francisco: $96,117
  • Oakland: $94,091

Air Operations Officer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Air Operations Officer roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Financial Services, offers compensation 30% above the average. Conversely, Air Operations Officer positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Air Operations Officer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Air Operations Officer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services $100,163 $48.0 30%

How Education impacts an Air Operations Officer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Air Operations Officer professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Air Operations Officer with a Bachelor's is between $72,341 and $76,050.

Air Operations Officer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Air Operations Officer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 10.2%
High School 10.2%
Associate's Degree 3.6%
Bachelor's Degree 59.9%
Master's Degree or MBA 24.8%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 1.5%
View as Graph

Air Operations Officer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Air Operations Officer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$71,113
Average $77,048/year
$83,065
$5,926
Average $6,421/month
$6,922
$1,368
Average $1,482/week
$1,597
$34
Average $37/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $83,065 $6,922 $1,597 $40
Average $77,048 $6,421 $1,482 $37
25th Percentile $71,113 $5,926 $1,368 $34

Most common benefits for Air Operations Officer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Air Operations Officer

Here are companies hiring for Air Operations Officer and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Air Operations Officer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Air Operations Officer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Confidential | Ashburn, VA

    Vice President of Public Relations

    Confidential | Ashburn, VA

    Vice President of Public Relations. About the Company. Organization dedicated to protecting religious rights. Industry. Non-Profit Organization Management.... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Recruiting Heroes LLC | Ashburn, VA

    Production Technician

    Recruiting Heroes LLC | Ashburn, VA

    Production Technician Recruiting Heroes LLCLocation:Ashburn, VirginiaJob Type:Full-Time, In-PersonPay:$20.00 - $22.00 per hour About the Opportunity Recrui... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Insight Global | Ashburn, VA

    Inventory Coordinator

    Insight Global | Ashburn, VA

    Position:Inventory Coordinator Location:Ashburn, VA PR:$85k - $95k Hours:Mon-Fri 7:30am - 4:30pm Job Description:A large electrical distribution equipment ... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Yantra Robotics Academy | Ashburn, VA

    Robotics Teacher Instructor

    Yantra Robotics Academy | Ashburn, VA

    Job Title:Part-Time Robotics Teacher / Instructor Location:Ashburn and Chantilly, VASchedule:Part-time, flexible hoursProgram Duration:September to June Re... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Loudoun Water | Ashburn, VA

    Community Systems Plant Operator Apprentice

    Loudoun Water | Ashburn, VA

    Loudoun Water, located in Ashburn VA is a public utility that provides water and wastewater service to customers in Loudoun County.We offer highly competit... more

    10 Days Ago

  • SAAB | Ashburn, VA

    Senior Quality Inspector

    SAAB | Ashburn, VA

    Job Description:Saab, Inc.is seeking an experienced Senior Quality Control Inspector to work at our Ashburn, Virginia facility supporting Saab's regional a... more

    10 Days Ago

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FAQ about Air Operations Officer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Air Operations Officer?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Air Operations Officer roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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