Careers in Aviation and Space
What is the Aviation System?
The aviation system is everything that allows us to fly. The ultimate users are the public, passengers, and shippers. The ultimate purpose is to transport passengers, services and products safely, securely, and efficiently. The aviation system is part of a larger aerospace system that also serves the emerging commercial space transportation industry.
What is Commercial Space Transportation?
Commercial space transportation involves the movement of objects to, 
from, or within space, using launch vehicles built, owned, and operated by private companies or organizations. For example, rockets position objects like communication and observation satellites into orbit. The FAA regulates launch and reentry of commercial launch vehicles and operation of commercial launch sites in the United States.
Careers in Aviation and Space
The aviation and space industry offers career opportunities to suit many interests and backgrounds. Aviation remains an integral part of our society that will continue to grow and need qualified personnel. Here is a look at some of the careers in aviation and space that might help you plan your future.
Featured Careers
Air Traffic Controller
While not an exhaustive list, take a look at some of the careers in aviation and space that might help you plan your future. There’s something for everyone in the aviation and aerospace industry!
| Career | Training | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Pilot | High School (H.S.) diploma; special training |
Agricultural operators; large farms |
| Air Traffic Reporting Pilot | College preferred | Radio & TV; traffic reporting companies |
| Major/National Airline Pilot | College; most require 4-year degree | Major and national airlines |
| College; most require 4-year degree | Regional airlines | |
| Helicopter Pilot | College; most require 4-year degree | Helicopter operators; corporate flight departments; Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |
| Corporate Pilot | College; most require 4-year degree | Companies with flight departments; FAA |
| Flight Instructor | H.S. diploma | Flight schools |
| Military Pilot | College degree required | U.S. Armed Forces |
| Astronaut | Engineering, physical science, physics, or similar advanced degree | NASA |
| Career | Training | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controller | FAA Training; college preferred | FAA; Military |
| Airport Manager | College degree in airport management preferred or business administration | Airports; airport authorities |
| Fixed Base Operator Manager | H.S. diploma; college degree sometimes preferred | Fixed base operators (FBOs) |
| Lineperson | H.S. diploma | Airports; airlines; FBOs |
| Station Manager | H.S. diploma; experience preferred | Airlines |
| Scheduling Coordinator | College degree preferred; experience helpful | Airlines |
| Flight Dispatcher | Dispatcher license; college degree and experience preferred | Airlines |
| Safety Inspector | Engineering degree and/or experience as pilot or mechanic | FAA |
| Concession Workers | H.S. diploma | Airport concessionaires |
| Fire and Crash Rescue | Special training; college preferred | Medium to large airports |
| Ground Attendant | H.S. diploma | Airlines |
| Ramp Service Personnel | H.S. diploma | Airlines; airports; FBOs |
| Cabin Maintenance Mechanic | H.S. diploma; technical training | Airlines |
| Ramp Planner | H.S. diploma; experience preferred | Airlines |
| Career | Training | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Airframe of Powerplant Mechanic | H.S. diploma; technical training degree preferred | Airlines; FBOs; private companies |
| Airframe and Powerplant | H.S. diploma; technical training degree preferred | Airlines; FBOs; private companies |
| Avionics Specialist | H.S. diploma; technical training; degree preferred | Airlines; FBOs; private companies |
| Career | Training | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Aviation Attorney | Law degree | FAA; airlines; government; private law firms |
| Inspector | H.S. diploma | Construction companies; airport consultants; government |
| Accident Investigator | College degree; industry experience | National Transportation Safety Board; FAA; insurance companies |
| Security Specialist | H.S. diploma; law enforcement experience | FAA; Homeland Security; Airports; Cargo shipper and Airlines for local/state/federal government/private industry |
| Career | Training | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Physician/Aviation Medical Examiner | Medical degree; military; private practice | Airlines; NASA; FAA |
| Career | Training | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparer | H.S. diploma; health certificate required | Airlines; airline caterers; airports |
| Career | Training | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Supervisor | College degree | Industry-wide |
| Customer Services Representative | H.S. diploma; business experience | Airlines |
| Ticket Agent | H.S. diploma; two-year college preferred | Airlines |
| Reservations Sales Agent | H.S. diploma; two-years college preferred | Airlines |
| Flight Attendant | H.S. diploma; special training; college preferred | Airlines |
| Baggage Handler | H.S. diploma | Airlines |
| Sky Cap | H.S. diploma | Airlines |
| Cargo Handler | H.S. diploma | Airlines; air freight companies |
| Air Freight/Cargo Agent | H.S. diploma; shipping experience | Airlines; air freight companies |
| Passenger Service Agent | H.S. diploma; experience helpful | Medium to large airports |
| Career | Training | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Agent | H.S. diploma; special training | Travel agencies; government |
| Secretary/Administrative Assistant | H.S. diploma | Industry-wide |
| Information Systems Specialist | College degree | Industry-wide |
| Communications Specialist | College degree | Industry-wide |
| Aviation Diplomats | College degree | FAA |
| Accountants | College degree | Industry-wide |
| Career | Training | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Engineer | Bachelor of Science degree | Aircraft manufacturers |
| Electrical Installers & Technician | H.S. diploma; Associate's degree | Aircraft manufacturers |
| Tool, Jig & Fixture Maker | H.S. diploma; vocational school | Aircraft manufacturers |
| Machine Tool Operator | H.S. diploma; vocational school | Aircraft manufacturers |
| Sheet Metal Fabrication | H.S. diploma | Aircraft manufacturers |
| Assemblers & Installers | H.S. diploma | Aircraft manufacturers |
| Quality Technician | H.S. diploma; Associate's degree | Aircraft manufacturers |
| Career | Training | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Engineer (Aeronautical, Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical) | Engineering degree | Aircraft manufacturers; FAA; NASA |
| Meteorologist | Meteorology degree; experience preferred | National Weather Service; airlines; private weather companies; FAA |
| Cartographer | Cartography degree | NOAA; federal and state governments; private companies |
| Architect | Architectural degree | Airports; architectural firms |
| Technician (Electronics, Radar, Navigation) | H.S. diploma; special training | FAA; independent contractors |
Aviation and Space Education Program
Explore FAA’s web sites for information and resources of interest to students, educators, aviation enthusiasts, and employment seekers:
- Aviation Schools & Universities
- Aviation History
- Grants & Scholarships
- Events & Activities (camps, celebrations, contents)
- STEM AVSED Partnerships
- Curriculum & Career Information
- Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative
More Educational Websites
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Commercial Space Transportation’s Education
- Experimental Aircraft Association
- Federal Aviation Administration Careers
- Jamail Larkins, Aerospace Careers Ambassador
- NASA: Student Opportunities
- National Association of State Aviation Officials Center for Aviation Research and Education (NASAO Center)
- National Coalition for Aviation Education (NCAE)
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- The United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol
- Women in Aviation