Airfield Operations Specialist salary in California
Airfield Operations Specialists in California earn a median of $62,600 a year ($30.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,170 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $56,850. California ranks 11th of 35 states for airfield operations specialists pay. There are 0.09 airfield operations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for airfield operations specialists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| 25th percentile | $54,580 | $26.24 |
| Median | $62,600 | $30.10 |
| 75th percentile | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,170 | $51.04 |
| Average (mean) | $73,180 | $35.18 |
Half of airfield operations specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,216.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,608.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,407.69 |
| Weekly | $1,203.85 |
| Hourly | $30.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Airfield Operations Specialist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $86,880 | 50 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $85,680 | 240 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $63,550 | 60 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $61,740 | 120 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $57,330 | 620 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $54,960 | 190 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $53,800 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for airfield operations specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Kentucky | $123,290 |
| Washington | $84,050 |
| Alabama | $78,590 |
| Arizona | $77,570 |
| Colorado | $77,500 |
| Oregon | $75,130 |
| Virginia | $72,250 |
| Alaska | $71,510 |
| New Mexico | $69,090 |
| Georgia | $66,790 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | $82,170 | — |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $353,900 | — |
| Commercial Pilot | $165,590 | — |
| Air Traffic Controller | $160,080 | $76.96 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,550 | $31.51 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $44,730 | $21.50 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-2022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a airfield operations specialist make in California?
The median salary for airfield operations specialists in California is $62,600 a year, or $30.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid airfield operations specialists make in California?
The top 10% of airfield operations specialists in California earn at least $106,170 a year. The top 25% earn $86,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for airfield operations specialists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,040 a year, and a quarter of airfield operations specialists earn $54,580 or less.
How many airfield operations specialists work in California?
About 1,660 airfield operations specialists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.