Air Operations Specialist Salary in Illinois

How much does an Air Operations Specialist make in Illinois? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Air Operations Specialist in Illinois is $107,677 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $125,261
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $98,381 to $116,881
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $89,918

Key Factors That Influence Air Operations Specialist Salaries

An Air Operations Specialist'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Air Operations Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Air Operations Specialist'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): $71,884
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $87,382
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $105,759
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $131,942
  • Expert (over 8 years): $159,709
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Quality Assurance Specialist I less than 1 year $71,884
Quality Assurance Specialist II 1-2 years $87,382
Air Operations Specialist 2-4 years $105,759
Quality Assurance Specialist IV 5-8 years $131,942
Quality Assurance Specialist V over 8 years $159,709

Top Paying Cities for Air Operations Specialist

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:

  • Effingham: $99,256
  • Saint Peter: $99,120
  • Salem: $99,497

Air Operations Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Air Operations Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Air Operations Specialist positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Air Operations Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Air Operations Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $118,444 $57.0 10%
Business Services $118,444 $57.0 10%
Construction $118,444 $57.0 10%
Energy & Utilities $118,444 $57.0 10%
Healthcare $118,444 $57.0 10%

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

Understanding how an Air Operations Specialist'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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$98,381
Average $107,677/year
$116,881
$8,198
Average $8,973/month
$9,740
$1,892
Average $2,071/week
$2,248
$47
Average $52/hour
$56
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $116,881 $9,740 $2,248 $56
Average $107,677 $8,973 $2,071 $52
25th Percentile $98,381 $8,198 $1,892 $47

Find Your Next Air Operations Specialist Job

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

  • Savino Del Bene | Chicago, IL

    Savino Del Bene | Chicago, IL

    Savino Del Bene is a Global Freight Forwarding Company headquartered in Florence, Italy. With more than 295 offices and 5,500 employees globally, Savino De... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Kuehne+Nagel | Schiller Park, IL

    Kuehne+Nagel | Schiller Park, IL

    Kuehne+Nagel - - Responsibilities: Receive, inspect, stage, and prepare inbound and outbound shipments. Load and unload freight following safety procedures... more

    11 Days Ago

  • Solerity | O'Fallon, IL

    Solerity | O'Fallon, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. Take the next steps to your professional success as Solerity is a recognized leader in providing Information... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Kuehne+Nagel | Bensenville, IL

    Kuehne+Nagel | Bensenville, IL

    Kuehne+Nagel - - Responsibilities: Build and maintain relationships with assigned customers. Provide shipment updates and communicate delays. Support custo... more

    7 Days Ago

  • GOLDEN ARCUS INTL | Franklin Park, IL

    GOLDEN ARCUS INTL | Franklin Park, IL

    Air / Ocean Operations Coordinator Location:ChicagoEmployment Type:Full-TimeDepartment:Operations Position Overview This role is designed for candidates wh... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Kuehne+Nagel | Schiller Park, IL

    Kuehne+Nagel | Schiller Park, IL

    Kuehne+Nagel - - Responsibilities: Track and trace healthcare shipments throughout the transportation process. Communicate shipment status, delays, and exc... more

    7 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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