Salary guide · Aviation & Airports
Aviation & Airports: what the jobs pay
20 jobs, lowest paid first. Yearly ranges seen in real UK adverts in 2026, and the hourly rate on a 40 hour week.
| Job | A year | An hour, 40 hour week | Tickets or qualifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air cargo handler | £24,800 to £29,000 | about £11.92 to £13.94 | Airside pass checks, counterbalance FLT licence helps |
| Aircraft cleaner | £24,800 to £28,000 | about £11.92 to £13.46 | Shifts round the clock, plus the five year history and the security check |
| Baggage handler | £24,800 to £31,000 | about £11.92 to £14.90 | A FIVE YEAR REFERENCED WORK HISTORY WITH NO GAPS, a criminal record check and an airside pass. The referencing is what takes the time, so start collecting dates and contacts before you apply |
| Cabin crew | £24,800 to £32,000 with flying pay | about £11.92 to £15.38 | Training given by the airline, a passport you can travel on, plus the five year history and the security check |
| Check in agent | £24,800 to £29,000 | about £11.92 to £13.94 | Customer service and a calm head. Five year referenced history and a criminal record check like every airside role |
| Special assistance agent | £24,800 to £27,000 | about £11.92 to £12.98 | None to start, airside pass checks |
| Aviation security officer | £25,000 to £32,000 | about £12.02 to £15.38 | The DfT aviation security training and certification, plus the five year referenced history and a criminal record check. The employer trains you, but you must pass and stay certified |
| Airside driver | £26,000 to £34,000 | about £12.50 to £16.35 | An airside driving permit, which the employer trains you for, plus the five year history and the security check |
| Drone pilot | £26,000 to £38,000 | about £12.50 to £18.27 | CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID, GVC for specific category |
| Turnaround coordinator | £26,000 to £33,000 | about £12.50 to £15.87 | Airside pass checks, load control training |
| Airport firefighter | £27,000 to £36,000 | about £12.98 to £17.31 | Full UK driving licence, fitness test, employer RFFS training |
| Aircraft refueller | £28,000 to £36,000 | about £13.46 to £17.31 | Class 2 licence often, ADR for the fuel, an airside permit, and the same five year referenced history |
| Airfield operations officer | £28,000 to £38,000 | about £13.46 to £18.27 | An airside driving permit, radio telephony training given on the job, plus the five year history and the security check |
| Flight instructor | £28,000 to £45,000 | about £13.46 to £21.63 | CAA commercial or private pilot licence with flight instructor rating |
| Aircraft structures technician | £30,000 to £40,000 | about £14.42 to £19.23 | Level 3 aircraft maintenance, CAA Part 66 helps |
| Flight dispatcher | £30,000 to £42,000 | about £14.42 to £20.19 | Flight dispatcher course, ICAO training helps |
| Avionics technician | £32,000 to £45,000 | about £15.38 to £21.63 | CAA Part 66 B2 licence for licensed roles |
| Aircraft technician | £38,000 to £60,000 | about £18.27 to £28.85 | A CAA or EASA Part 66 licence for the category, which takes years and is why the shortage never closes |
| Pilot | £45,000 as first officer to £120,000 as captain | about £21.63 to £57.69 | A commercial licence (CPL or ATPL) with a type rating, and a class 1 medical |
| Air traffic controller | £50,000 to £100,000 once qualified | about £24.04 to £48.08 | Paid training through the air navigation service provider, a class 3 medical and a long selection process |
Advertised ranges, not a survey of take home pay, and the same job pays differently by region. The National Living Wage for anybody 21 and over is £12.71 an hour. Wrong for your area? Tell us.
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