by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Aviation/Airway Management & Operations covers Aviation/airway Management And Operations. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To The Management Of Aviation Industry Operations And Services. Includes Instruction In Airport Operations, Ground Traffic Direction, Ground Support And Flightline Operations, Passenger And Cargo Operations, Flight Safety And Security Operations, Aviation Industry Regulation, And Related Business Aspects Of Managing Aviation Enterprises. Continue reading for the essential details every aviation/airway management & operations major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering aviation/airway management & operations programs.
Nationwide, aviation/airway management & operations is a popular field of study, with 1,786 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Aviation/Airway Management & Operations Schools ranking analyzes these 71 schools to determine the best overall colleges for aviation/airway management & operations students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of aviation/airway management & operations programs later in this article.
Coursework for Aviation/Airway Management & Operations develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations aviation/airway management & operations graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a aviation/airway management & operations program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a aviation/airway management & operations major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several aviation/airway management & operations degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 26 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 195 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,062 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 497 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to aviation/airway management & operations tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 66.7% |
| Master’s degree | 19.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 9.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.8% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in aviation/airway management & operations careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in aviation/airway management & operations can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to aviation/airway management & operations.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to aviation/airway management & operations.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Supply Chain Managers | 421,849 | 12.7% |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | 227,314 | 11.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of aviation/airway management & operations graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $54,735 |
| 4 years | $69,369 |
| 5 years | $80,156 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for aviation/airway management & operations graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers aviation/airway management & operations grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Supply Chain Managers | $138,103 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $76,615 |
With 71 different aviation/airway management & operations programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased aviation/airway management & operations school rankings to help you.
Students interested in aviation/airway management & operations, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General | 6,327 |
| Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew | 2,249 |
| Air Transportation, Other | 315 |
| Air Traffic Controller | 189 |
| Remote Aircraft Pilot | 127 |
| Airline Flight Attendant | 47 |
| Flight Instructor | 30 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
