Aviation
Quick Facts: Aviation Training
Where it's offered
Aviation programs are offered at 10 schools across 8 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $42,988/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 5 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Aviation — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 10 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 43/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
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.
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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.
If Aviation doesn't fit your goals, programs like Truck Driving & CDL, Entrepreneurship, and Public Administration draw from adjacent skill sets.
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.
Find Aviation Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Aviation is offered at 10 schools across 8 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Aviation Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Aviation programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
10 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Oregon Community College Bend, OR |
60 57–61 |
| 2 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide Daytona Beach, FL |
59 55–61 |
| 3 | Community College of Beaver County Monaca, PA |
59 51–60 |
| 4 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FL |
52 47–53 |
| 5 | Northwestern Michigan College Traverse City, MI |
51 49–52 |
| 6 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TX |
50 43–52 |
| 7 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL |
49 43–51 |
| 8 | Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology Tulsa, OK |
44 38–45 |
| 9 | Aviator College of Aeronautical Science and Technology Fort Pierce, FL |
40 36–41 |
| 10 | International Air and Hospitality Academy Vancouver, WA |
38 34–40 |
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 and ROI.
State Licensing & Certification
After completing your program, most states require a license or certification to practice. Compare requirements, costs, and salary by state.