According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are about half million Americans working in the air transportation industry in May of 2018. These jobs tend to be quite high, with the median salary around $60k/year. These include higher level jobs, like directors, pilots and engineers, but there are also jobs that only require a High School diploma.
Some of these jobs might require some training, such as mechanics, but you won’t need a College Degree for that.
*All the employment and wage numbers below are for May 2018
Security Guards
Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment. Excludes “Transportation Security Screeners” (33-9093).
There were 1,114,380 employed with a mean of $32,050
Transportation Security Screeners
Conduct screening of passengers, baggage, or cargo to ensure compliance with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations. May operate basic security equipment such as x-ray machines and hand wands at screening checkpoints.
There were 45,250 employed with a mean of $41,860
Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
Perform duties which combine preparing and serving food and nonalcoholic beverages.
There were 3,676,180 with a mean of $22,140
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
Keep buildings in clean and orderly condition. Perform heavy cleaning duties, such as cleaning floors, shampooing rugs, washing walls and glass, and removing rubbish. Duties may include tending furnace and boiler, performing routine maintenance activities, notifying management of need for repairs, and cleaning snow or debris from sidewalk.
There were 2,156,270 with a mean of $28,950
Baggage Porters and Bellhops
Handle baggage for travelers at transportation terminals or for guests at hotels or similar establishments.
There were 42,350 employed with a mean of $26,990
Concierges
Assist patrons at hotel, apartment, or office building with personal services. May take messages, arrange or give advice on transportation, business services or entertainment, or monitor guest requests for housekeeping and maintenance.
There were 37,490 employed with a mean of $33,550
Billing and Posting Clerks
Compile, compute, and record billing, accounting, statistical, and other numerical data for billing purposes. Prepare billing invoices for services rendered or for delivery or shipment of goods.
There were 469,250 employed with a mean of $39,520
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.
There were 1,530,430 employed with a mean of $42,110
Customer Service Representatives
Interact with customers to provide information in response to inquiries about products and services and to handle and resolve complaints. Excludes individuals whose duties are primarily installation, sales, or repair.
There were 2,871,400 employed with a mean of $36,470
File Clerks
File correspondence, cards, invoices, receipts, and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. Locate and remove material from file when requested.
There were 110,020 employed with a mean of $33,810
Receptionists and Information Clerks
Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.
There were 1,043,630 employed with a mean of $30,350
Couriers and Messengers
Pick up and deliver messages, documents, packages, and other items between offices or departments within an establishment or directly to other business concerns, traveling by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, or public conveyance.
There were 75,720 employed with a mean of $30620
Stock Clerks and Order Fillers
Receive, store, and issue sales floor merchandise, materials, equipment, and other items from stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard to fill shelves, racks, tables, or customers’ orders. May mark prices on merchandise and set up sales displays.
There were 2,056,030 employed with a mean of $28,520
Data Entry Keyers
Operate data entry device, such as keyboard or photo composing perforator. Duties may include verifying data and preparing materials for printing.
There were 174,930 employed with a mean of $33,740
Avionics Technicians
Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.
There were 18,860 employed with a mean of $65,330
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Includes helicopter and aircraft engine specialists.
There were 131,690 employed with a mean of $65,230
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
There were 648,050 employed with a mean of $43,730
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Manually move freight, stock, or other materials or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.
There were 2,893,180 employed with a mean of $30,890
*Source: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics3_481000.htm
*Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/what-do-airline-workers-earn-2019-5