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Law & Government

Air Crew Members

Perform in-flight duties to ensure the successful completion of combat, reconnaissance, transport, and search and rescue missions. Duties include operating aircraft communications and detection equipment, including establishing satellite linkages and jamming enemy communications capabilities; conducting preflight, in-flight, and postflight inspections of onboard equipment; operating and maintaining aircraft weapons and defensive systems; operating and maintaining aircraft in-flight refueling systems; executing aircraft safety and emergency procedures; computing and verifying passenger, cargo, fuel, and emergency and special equipment weight and balance data; and conducting cargo and personnel drops.

Median salary (BLS)

$55,000

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$34k – $99k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $105,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Air Crew Members

Education

Typical entry: Associate degree

Plan my path to this →

How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$8,200–$27,000

Time to qualify

2.5 yr

Renewal

  1. 1

    Associate degree (community college)

    Degree

    Two years at in-district rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $4,050/yr, plus ~$1,200/yr books & supplies.

    $8,000–$22,000 · 2 years source

  2. 2

    Bar exam / state licensure / academy

    License

    Lawyers: the state bar exam. Public-safety roles: a training academy plus state certification.

    $200–$5,000 · 6 months · varies by state source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Air Crew Members" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Air Crew Members

    Entry / Junior

    $34,100

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Air Crew Members

    Established

    $55,000

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Air Crew Members

    Senior

    $77,000

Key skills

A typical day

    Fields of study

    Any field

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