A degree in aviation is something that can really take you places, literally and figuratively. While some aviation careers such as working as an airline pilot are quite well-known, there are plenty of other jobs that an aviation degree makes possible that are less well-known but equally rewarding. To help you decide if earning a degree in aviation is the right choice for your career path, let's take a look at seven "fly" jobs that you can pursue with an aviation degree.
We'll start with the most obvious career that an aviation degree makes possible. Working as a pilot means that you will be afforded opportunities to travel the country and, potentially, the world. It also means you'll get to spend your days soaring through the clouds in the cockpit of a modern jet aircraft. Best of all, professional pilots earn a substantial salary and are currently in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), pilots earn a median salary of $130,440 per year, and the overall demand for pilots is expected to grow 13% by 2030.
A director of aerospace program management leads aerospace programs in either the public or private sector. As a director of aerospace program management, it will be your responsibility to lead various projects within aerospace organizations and companies such as NASA, SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, and others, performing tasks such as overseeing the project's budget, managing relationships with partners and clients, and continually monitoring the status of the project to ensure that all objectives are met. Working as a director of aerospace program management requires you to have a lot of experience both in the aerospace industry and in positions of leadership and project management. Those who meet these qualifications, though, can look forward to earning a median salary of $155,730 according to PayScale.
Behind every pilot who safely gets their passengers from point A to point B is a skilled air traffic controller making sure they have the information they need in order to do so. Air traffic controllers work inside of airports and utilize radar to track and direct the movement of air traffic in their assigned sector of airspace. Air traffic controllers then communicate with pilots to provide them with safe flight paths in and out of the airport. Known as a fast-paced and rigorous job, working as an air traffic controller means that you'll have to keep calm and collected when there are a lot of things happening around you at once. Those who are able to keep up, though, can look forward to a median annual salary of $130,420 according to the BLS.
If you would like to work as an engineer within the aviation industry designing the innovations that will help further mankind's advancement into the skies and beyond, then a career as an aviation project engineer is an excellent choice to consider. Aviation project engineers are responsible for working with other project team members to design and build new aviation products. Those who enjoy both engineering and aviation will be hard-pressed to find a more rewarding career than working as an aviation project engineer and can expect to earn a median annual salary of $118,610 according to the BLS.
Aircraft technicians are responsible for completing the repairs and maintenance necessary to keep an aircraft in pristine condition. Whether it's performing scheduled maintenance procedures or impromptu repairs to fix an unexpected issue, aircraft technicians play a major role in ensuring that aircraft are safe to fly as well as ensuring that the company that owns them gets as many years of use as possible out of their investment. According to the BLS, aircraft technicians earn a median salary of $66,680 per year, and demand for the positions is expected to grow 11% through 2030.
To most, an aircraft mechanic may seem like just another term for an aircraft technician. However, there are plenty of key differences between these two completely unique careers. While aircraft technicians focus on completing both scheduled and unexpected aircraft maintenance and repairs, aircraft mechanics are more focused on quality assurance and are charged with making sure that a plane's mechanical, structural, and electronic systems are all in perfect working condition prior to takeoff. The BLS groups aircraft mechanics and technicians under one category, meaning aircraft mechanics can expect a similar median salary and projected job growth.
Aircraft maintenance managers are responsible for overseeing teams of both aircraft mechanics and aircraft technicians. In addition to managing these all-important employees, your responsibilities as an aircraft maintenance manager will also include working with vendors to procure the parts and supplies needed for maintenance and repairs, setting schedules for aircraft maintenance, and ensuring that all aircraft meet aviation compliance regulations. Securing a position as an aircraft maintenance manager will require quite a bit of experience working as either an aircraft mechanic or technician as well as excellent leadership skills. If you have the right qualifications, though, you can look forward to earning a median annual salary of $110,772, according to Salary.com.
Earn Your Degree in Aviation from Geneva College
For those who are fascinated with flight, a degree in aviation is certainly something that is worth it, opening doors for a wide range of thrilling and high-paying careers. At Geneva College, we are proudly preparing the next generation of aviation and aerospace professionals through our exceptional aviation degree programs.
By partnering with the Community College of Beaver County, we are able to offer students the ability to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration while at the same time earning an associate degree in either pilot training, air traffic control, or aerospace management. To learn more about enrolling in one of these life-changing degree programs, be sure to contact us today!
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
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