Aviation Management and Operations: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for students aiming to lead within the dynamic aviation sector, this program equips learners with the technical expertise and strategic insight needed to oversee complex aviation operations. It emphasizes real-world application across airport systems, regulatory compliance, and service delivery, preparing graduates for leadership roles in a globally interconnected industry.
- Airport Operations Management: Focuses on the coordination and oversight of daily airport functions, including runway usage, terminal services, and infrastructure maintenance to ensure operational efficiency and safety.
- Ground Traffic and Flightline Coordination: Teaches procedures for directing ground vehicles, aircraft movement, and personnel on airfield surfaces to prevent collisions and maintain flow during high-traffic periods.
- Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and Flightline Operations: Covers the operation, maintenance, and scheduling of specialized equipment used in aircraft servicing, such as baggage loaders, fuel trucks, and tug vehicles.
- Passenger and Cargo Handling Systems: Explores the logistical processes involved in boarding, baggage processing, customs clearance, and freight management to ensure timely, secure, and compliant movement of people and goods.
- Aviation Safety and Security Protocols: Provides in-depth training on risk mitigation strategies, emergency response planning, threat assessment, and compliance with national and international security standards.
- Regulatory Frameworks and Compliance: Examines federal, international, and industry-specific regulations governing air transport, including those set by the FAA, ICAO, and other governing bodies.
- Business Administration in Aviation Enterprises: Integrates core business principles—finance, human resources, marketing, and strategic planning—within the unique context of aviation organizations and service providers.
Aviation Management and Operations Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Aviation Management and Operations Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Aviation Management and Operations degrees, including Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 213,000 professionals.
National Average Salaries
Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers 11-3071 | $102,010 | $61,200 - $180,590 | 213,000 | $49.05 |
Aviation Management and Operations Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $77,390 in Mississippi to $150,590 in Delaware—a 95% difference. The highest-paying states include Delaware, District of Columbia, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 213,000 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Aviation Management and Operations by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 71 institutions offering Aviation Management and Operations programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Aviation Management and Operations is found at Florida State College (FSCJ), Jacksonville (216 graduates), Broward College (BC) (156 graduates), Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (122 graduates), Lewis University (102 graduates), and Auburn University (AU) (96 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,786 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida State College (FSCJ) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
216 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | fscj.edu |
Broward College (BC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
156 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Public | broward.edu |
Southern Illinois University |
Bachelor's
|
122 | Carbondale, Illinois | Public | siu.edu |
Lewis University |
Bachelor's
|
102 | Romeoville, Illinois | Private | lewisu.edu |
Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
96 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
78 | Flushing, New York | Private | vaughn.edu |
Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
66 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
65 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
University of North Dakota (UND) |
Bachelor's
|
64 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
45 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Private | worldwide.erau.edu |
CUNY York College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
39 | Jamaica, New York | Public | york.cuny.edu |
Indiana State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
Farmingdale State College |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Farmingdale, New York | Public | farmingdale.edu |
Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Portales, New Mexico | Public | enmu.edu |
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) |
Master's
|
32 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | mtsu.edu |
Florida Institute of Technology |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
32 | Melbourne, Florida | Private | fit.edu |
University of Central Missouri (UCM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
31 | Warrensburg, Missouri | Public | ucmo.edu |
Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | bayamon.inter.edu |
Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
28 | Melbourne, Florida | Private | fit.edu |
Louisiana Tech University (LA Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Ruston, Louisiana | Public | latech.edu |
Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
Jacksonville University (JU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 | Jacksonville, Florida | Private | ju.edu |
Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
20 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
Texas Southern University (TSU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Houston, Texas | Public | tsu.edu |
Cypress College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
18 | Cypress, California | Public | cypresscollege.edu |
Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
18 | Glendale, California | Public | glendale.edu |
Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
National American University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Rapid City, South Dakota | Private | national.edu |
University of Dubuque (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Dubuque, Iowa | Private | dbq.edu |
Texas A&M University (TAMUCT) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Killeen, Texas | Public | tamuct.edu |
Delta State University (DSU) |
Master's
|
14 | Cleveland, Mississippi | Public | deltastate.edu |
Hallmark University |
Bachelor's
|
14 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | hallmarkuniversity.edu |
Lynn University |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Boca Raton, Florida | Private | lynn.edu |
Orange Coast College (OCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11 | Costa Mesa, California | Public | orangecoastcollege.edu |
San Diego Miramar College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | San Diego, California | Public | sdmiramar.edu |
Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Belleville, Illinois | Public | swic.edu |
Middle Georgia State University (MGA) |
Other Award
|
9 | Macon, Georgia | Public | mga.edu |
Southern Utah University (SUU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Cedar City, Utah | Public | suu.edu |
Utah State University (USU) |
Master's
|
8 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
California Baptist University (CBU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Riverside, California | Private | calbaptist.edu |
San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | San Bernardino, California | Public | valleycollege.edu |
Baylor University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) |
Master's
|
6 | Prescott, Arizona | Private | prescott.erau.edu |
Polk State College |
Associate's
|
6 | Winter Haven, Florida | Public | polk.edu |
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Private | snhu.edu |
Mercer County Community College (MCCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | West Windsor, New Jersey | Public | mccc.edu |
Hinds Community College |
Associate's
|
5 | Raymond, Mississippi | Public | hindscc.edu |
Hampton University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Hampton, Virginia | Private | hamptonu.edu |
Southeastern University (SEU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | seu.edu |
Capitol Technology University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Laurel, Maryland | Private | captechu.edu |
North Shore Community College (NSCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Danvers, Massachusetts | Public | northshore.edu |
Rocky Mountain College (RMC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Billings, Montana | Private | rocky.edu |
Marywood University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | marywood.edu |
Highline College |
Residency
Other Award
|
4 | Des Moines, Washington | Public | highline.edu |
West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Beckley, West Virginia | Public | wvutech.edu |
Sacramento City College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
2 | Sacramento, California | Public | scc.losrios.edu |
Academy College |
Associate's
|
2 | Bloomington, Minnesota | Private | academycollege.edu |
Dutchess Community College (DCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Poughkeepsie, New York | Public | sunydutchess.edu |
Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | ccac.edu |
Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Monaca, Pennsylvania | Public | ccbc.edu |
LeTourneau University (LETU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Longview, Texas | Private | letu.edu |
Walla Walla University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | College Place, Washington | Private | wallawalla.edu |
California Aeronautical University (CAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
2 | Bakersfield, California | Private | calaero.edu |
Athens State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Athens, Alabama | Public | athens.edu |
Holmes Community College |
Associate's
|
1 | Goodman, Mississippi | Public | holmescc.edu |
University of Mount Olive (UMO) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mount Olive, North Carolina | Private | umo.edu |
Charleston Southern University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Charleston, South Carolina | Private | charlestonsouthern.edu |
Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | ccbcmd.edu |
Indiana Wesleyan University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Aviation Management and Operations programs
How much can I earn with a Aviation Management and Operations degree?
Salaries for Aviation Management and Operations graduates vary by role and location. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers earn a median of $102,010 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Delaware average $150,590 compared to $77,390 in Mississippi. Approximately 213,000 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Aviation Management and Operations programs?
Currently 71 accredited institutions offer Aviation Management and Operations degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Florida State College (FSCJ), Jacksonville (216 graduates), Broward College (BC) (156 graduates), and Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (122 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Aviation Management and Operations growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,611 in 2010 to 1,786 in 2023-24. This represents a 11% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Aviation Management and Operations degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers. Related occupations employ approximately 213,000 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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