If you are considering a degree in aviation management, there are a wide range of in-demand, high-paying careers you can pursue, some you may not have known existed. As global air travel continues to grow and airlines face ongoing workforce needs, students with strong management, operations and leadership skills are needed more than ever.
At Vaughn College—located in New York City, one of the largest travel hubs in the world and ranked number one in upward mobility nationwide—students gain hands-on experience, industry exposure and access to internships and careers at world-class companies and organizations. Vaughn’s management program, including its master of business administration in aviation management, prepares graduates for the next generation of aviation leadership.
If you’re looking for job stability, a competitive salary and a fast-paced environment, aviation management is an excellent choice for a futureproof career.
Why choose aviation management?
Aviation management blends business strategy with the operational needs of airlines, airports, cargo companies and federal agencies. Professionals in this field keep the aviation ecosystem running safely and efficiently—from accounting, finance, economics, logistics, public relations and planning.
Demand for aviation personnel across all areas remains high, with a global need for nearly 2.4 million aviation professionals in the next 20 years, according to Boeing’s long-term outlook. This includes management roles that support airline growth and airport expansions and require critical thinking skills to incorporate rapidly evolving technologies.
Transportation, storage and distribution manager
Degree: bachelor of science in airline management, bachelor of science in airport management, bachelor of science in general management, associate of applied science in airport management
Role and Responsibilities: In the aviation sector, transportation, storage and distribution managers play a crucial role in ensuring the safe, efficient and timely movement of passengers, aircraft parts, cargo and ground-support materials.
Median Salary: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a transportation storage and distribution manager in 2024 was $102,000. Employment in this position is expected to grow 6% over the next decade, which is faster than average for all occupations. Regionally, in the New York metropolitan area, Lightcast Data projects 8% job growth with an annual median salary of $119,000, reflecting strong demand for logistics and distribution expertise in New York City, one of the nation’s busiest commercial hubs.
Employers: Commercial Airlines, FedEx Express, UPS Airlines, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Supply chain manager
Degree: bachelor of science in airline management, bachelor of science in airport management, or supply chain management certificate paired with a bachelor’s degree
Role and Responsibilities: Supply chain managers in the aviation industry oversee the broad, strategic flow of all aviation-related goods—from aircraft parts and components to fuel, tooling, safety equipment and ground-support materials.
Median Salary: According to Indeed, the average median salary for a supply chain manager is $116,980, and this career is projected to grow by an impressive 18 percent, which is much faster than average for all occupations. Indeed.com also reports that supply chain managers at Boeing earn an average salary of $131,751, reflecting the high value placed on these roles in major aerospace organizations. Regionally, Lightcast Data reported that in the New York metropolitan area, supply chain managers earn an average annual median salary of $119,000 with a projected job growth of 8%.
Employers: Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Technologies.
Airline schedule recovery manager
Degree: bachelor of science in airline management
Role and Responsibilities: An airline schedule recovery manager is responsible for minimizing disruptions caused by events such as weather, aircraft mechanical issues, crew shortages, air traffic control delays or airport constraints–while maintaining safety, regulatory compliance and cost control.
Median Salary: According to ZipRecruiter, as of December 2025, the average annual salary for an airline schedule recovery manager is $86,378.
Employers: Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and JetBlue.
Aviation insurance risk analyst
Degree: bachelor of science in airline management, bachelor of science in airport management, master of business administration in aviation management
Role and Responsibilities: An aviation insurance risk analyst evaluates how likely aviation-related losses are to occur and their potential severity, as well as providing underwriting support, policy design, pricing and risk mitigation strategies.
Median Salary: According to ZipRecruiter, as of December 2025, the average annual salary for an insurance risk analyst is $83,287.
Employers: AIG Aerospace, Marsh McLennan, Willis Towers Watson, United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG).
Aviation cybersecurity program manager
Degree: An advanced degree that combines technology, cybersecurity and program management skills is preferred for this profession. Vaughn offers a bachelor of science in computer engineering and master of business administration in aviation management which would work for this role among many other degree combinations.
Role and Responsibilities: The core role of an aviation cybersecurity program manager is to protect aviation systems from cyber threats by planning, coordinating and governing cybersecurity efforts across complex, safety-critical aviation environments, all while ensuring regulatory compliance and operational continuity.
Median Salary: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for computer and information systems managers in 2024 was $171,200 and employment in this field is expected to grow 15 percent over the next decade, faster than average for all occupations.
Employers: Raytheon Technologies, Boeing, MITRE, IBM.
Disaster response and humanitarian airlift coordinator
Degree: bachelor of science in airline management, bachelor of science in airport management, bachelor of science in general management, associate of applied science in airport management
Role and Responsibilities: The role of a disaster response and humanitarian airlift coordinator is to plan, conduct and execute air operations that deliver life saving aid and personnel into disaster-affected or crisis environments, ensuring missions are safe, timely and aligned with humanitarian priorities.
Median Salary: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for emergency management directors in 2024 was $86,130 and employment in this field is expected to grow three percent over the next decade, which is faster than average for all occupations.
Employers: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), American Red Cross.
Aviation sustainability or carbon strategy manager
Degree: bachelor of science in airline management, bachelor of science in airport management, bachelor of science in general management
Role and Responsibilities: An aviation sustainability or carbon strategy manager is responsible for reducing the environmental impact of aviation operations while aligning sustainability goals with regulatory, financial and operational realities.
Median Salary: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for environmental scientists and specialists in 2024 was $80,060 and employment in this field is expected to grow four percent over the next decade, which is faster than average for all occupations.
Employers: Most commercial airlines, Airports Council International.
Uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operations manager
Degree: bachelor of science in airline management, bachelor of science in airport management or bachelor of science in general management plus uncrewed aerial system design, application and operation certificate
Note: UAS operations managers may also have an engineering degree (commonly mechatronic, computer, mechanical, electrical or robotics engineering) for tech-heavy, research and development or enterprise UAS programs.
Role and Responsibilities: A UAS operations manager is responsible for planning, leading and overseeing all drone operations to ensure they are safe, compliant, efficient and aligned with operational goals.
Median Salary: According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for a UAS Operations Manager in December 2025 is $106,825.
Employers: Amazon Prime Air, Zipline, Skydio.
Aviation human resources manager
Degree: bachelor of science in airline management, bachelor of science in airport management
Note: For senior leadership roles in aviation human resources, a master of business administration in aviation management is common.
Role and Responsibilities: An aviation human resources manager specializes in managing the people, policies and workforce needs of organizations within the aviation industry.
Median Salary: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, human resources managers (including those working in the aviation industry) earned a median annual salary of $140,030 in 2024, with a projected employment growth rate of five percent from now until 2034—which is faster than average of all occupations. Regionally, labor market data from Lightcast show that in key aviation hubs, aviation human resources managers can command an annual median salary of about $170,000—with the same five percent projected growth rate—which reflects especially strong regional demand for experienced HR leaders who understand the operational, regulatory and safety-critical nuances of the aviation industry.
Employers: Major, regional and cargo airlines, airport authorities and airport operators and management companies.
Airline safety manager
Degree: bachelor of science in airline management or bachelor of science in airport management, plus certificate in safety management systems
Role and Responsibilities: An airline safety manager is responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing safety programs that protect passengers, crew and aircraft operations.
Median Salary: According to ZipRecruiter, as of December 2025, the average annual salary for an airline safety manager is $85,971 nationwide. Significantly, ZipRecruiter also reports that in high-demand regions—such as the New York metropolitan area—annual salaries frequently exceed $100,000, reflecting the premium placed on experienced safety professionals in major aviation hubs.
Other related careers to consider
- Airfield operations specialist: These professionals ensure the safe and efficient operation of an airport’s runways, taxiways and aircraft movement areas. They conduct daily airfield inspections, coordinate with air traffic control, manage wildlife and debris hazards, respond to emergencies and ensure compliance with FAA Part 139 regulations. Their tasks support smooth aircraft operations for maintaining the overall safety of the airfield environment.
- Aviation inspectors: Aviation inspectors are responsible for ensuring that aircraft, maintenance procedures and other aviation-related operations meet all safety and regulatory standards. They examine aircraft systems and components, review maintenance records, conduct inspections of repair stations and flight operations and verify compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. Their work helps maintain the safety, reliability and airworthiness of aircraft and aviation organizations.
- Airline manager or supervisor: Manages teams across customer service, ground operations, scheduling or crew resource management.
- FAA and government roles: Positions include air traffic control management, aviation compliance, operations oversight and safety analysis.
- Corporate and general aviation roles: Management opportunities with aircraft manufacturers, aerospace companies, charter services and maintenance organizations.
The aviation industry also offers strong benefits packages, career advancement pathways and long-term job stability as the demand for qualified managers grows. Vaughn’s outcomes highlight this advantage: Ninety-seven percent of Vaughn graduates are employed or continue their education within one year, and 77% are working in their field of study.*
Ready to rise above?
Aviation needs the next generation of leaders—and your journey can start at Vaughn. Explore how an aviation management degree can take you from the classroom to the control tower, the airline boardroom or the heart of airport operations. You can view all of Vaughn’s aviation management degrees and certificates here and decide what best suits you and your career goals.
Visit Vaughn College to learn more, or connect with our admissions team at . Don’t wait. Your future starts today!
*Outcomes include data within one year of graduation for graduates who reported via survey. There were a total of 289 reported graduates in 2024. 230 reported an outcome for an 80% response rate. The 2024 graduate class includes September 2023, December 2023 and May 2024 graduates.