Aviation’s Most In-Demand Professional Careers

James Wynbrandt

Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 06:44 PM ET

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Military AMT training, as this U.S. Coast Guard instructor provides, can count toward civilian certifications. Flying

Key Takeaways:

The aviation industry projects significant demand for professionals across various roles, including maintenance technicians, airline pilots, safety inspectors, and flight instructors, with hundreds of thousands of new positions needed over the next two decades.
These careers typically require specialized training, FAA certifications, or prior experience, with some airlines offering tuition assistance for pilots.
Salaries are competitive across these fields, ranging from entry-level flight instructor pay of $33,000-$40,000 to experienced airline captains earning over $200,000 annually, with many median salaries falling between $58,000 and $136,000.
Emerging roles like Aero IT specialists, driven by onboard connectivity, also offer strong growth and median salaries exceeding $81,000, often requiring an AMT or IT background.

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Aviation Maintenance Technician

James Wynbrandt