Aviation
What Aviation Graduates Do
Your career in air transportation could take you directly into the cabin or the cockpit. As a flight attendant, your day is centered on safety and service; you’ll conduct pre-flight briefings, secure the cabin, and act as the first responder for any in-flight medical or security issues. In the cockpit, a pilot’s work involves meticulous pre-flight checks on the aircraft, managing complex avionics, and communicating constantly with air traffic control to navigate safely.
Many begin as flight attendants, with strong and steady demand for new hires, or as airfield operations specialists on the ground. With experience, you can advance to a lead flight attendant or transition into a high-earning role as a transportation manager, coordinating logistics and crews. Pilots often start with smaller commercial planes before graduating to major airlines, where salaries can climb well into six figures. While AI is helping to optimize flight planning and scheduling, the core, hands-on work of flying an aircraft and managing real-time passenger safety will continue to require irreplaceable human judgment and a steady hand.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 5 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Aviation. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Air Traffic Controller (Military Only)
RAPIDS 1101CB |
Competency | Competency | $101K – $144,580 – $187K | 1.2% |
|
Air Transport Pilot
RAPIDS 1046CB |
Competency | Competency | $82K – $122,670 – $175K | 5.1% |
|
Airfield Management (Military Only)
RAPIDS 1063CB |
Competency | Competency | $41K – $56,750 – $78K | 4.2% |
|
Operations Resource Flight/Jump Management (Military Only)
RAPIDS 1064CB |
Competency | Competency | $41K – $56,750 – $78K | 4.2% |
|
Storage And Distribution Manager
RAPIDS 2095 |
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs |
Time | $78K – $102,010 – $136K | 6.1% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Best Schools for Aviation
10 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.
| # | School | Score | EarningsEarn | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Oregon Community College Bend, OR |
60 57–61 |
$48,594/yr | 48.2x |
| 2 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide Daytona Beach, FL |
59 55–61 |
$66,957/yr | 35.2x |
| 3 | Community College of Beaver County Monaca, PA |
59 51–60 |
$45,028/yr | 61.5x |
| 4 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FL |
52 47–53 |
$66,957/yr | 9.0x |
| 5 | Northwestern Michigan College Traverse City, MI |
51 49–52 |
$37,988/yr | 34.5x |
| 6 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TX |
50 43–52 |
$35,008/yr | 41.3x |
| 7 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL |
49 43–51 |
$39,956/yr | 30.2x |
| 8 | Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology Tulsa, OK |
44 38–45 |
$35,377/yr | 18.4x |
| 9 | Aviator College of Aeronautical Science and Technology Fort Pierce, FL |
40 36–41 |
$32,339/yr | 8.4x |
| 10 | International Air and Hospitality Academy Vancouver, WA |
38 34–40 |
$21,676/yr | — |
Highest Earning Aviation Programs
Schools where Aviation graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide | $66,957/yr | 59 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | $66,957/yr | 52 |
| Central Oregon Community College | $48,594/yr | 60 |
| Community College of Beaver County | $45,028/yr | 59 |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | $39,956/yr | 49 |
| Northwestern Michigan College | $37,988/yr | 51 |
| Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | $35,377/yr | 44 |
| Texas State Technical College | $35,008/yr | 50 |
| Aviator College of Aeronautical Science and Technology | $32,339/yr | 40 |
| International Air and Hospitality Academy | $21,676/yr | 38 |
Best ROI for Aviation
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Aviation.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Beaver County | 61.5x | $45,028/yr | 59 |
| Central Oregon Community College | 48.2x | $48,594/yr | 60 |
| Texas State Technical College | 41.3x | $35,008/yr | 50 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide | 35.2x | $66,957/yr | 59 |
| Northwestern Michigan College | 34.5x | $37,988/yr | 51 |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | 30.2x | $39,956/yr | 49 |
| Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | 18.4x | $35,377/yr | 44 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | 9.0x | $66,957/yr | 52 |
| Aviator College of Aeronautical Science and Technology | 8.4x | $32,339/yr | 40 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Aviation degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.