Airfield Operations Specialist salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Airfield Operations Specialists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $53,800 a year ($25.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,240 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $56,850. Pay here is 14% lower than the California statewide median of $62,600. There are 0.17 airfield operations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for airfield operations specialists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,060 | $20.22 |
| 25th percentile | $46,710 | $22.46 |
| Median | $53,800 | $25.87 |
| 75th percentile | $78,570 | $37.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,240 | $46.75 |
| Average (mean) | $64,970 | $31.24 |
Half of airfield operations specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,483.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,241.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,069.23 |
| Weekly | $1,034.62 |
| Hourly | $25.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,800 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Airfield Operations Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $86,880 | 50 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $85,680 | 240 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $63,550 | 60 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $61,740 | 120 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $57,330 | 620 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $54,960 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for airfield operations specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Kentucky | $123,290 |
| Washington | $84,050 |
| Alabama | $78,590 |
| Arizona | $77,570 |
| Colorado | $77,500 |
| Oregon | $75,130 |
| Virginia | $72,250 |
| Alaska | $71,510 |
| New Mexico | $69,090 |
| Georgia | $66,790 |
See Airfield Operations Specialist pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $149,200 | — |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,560 | $20.46 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,780 | $21.05 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,820 | $28.28 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,740 | $20.55 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $42,730 | $20.55 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $60,420 | $29.05 |
| Parking Attendant | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $40,570 | $19.50 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $66,900 | $32.16 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-2022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a airfield operations specialist make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for airfield operations specialists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $53,800 a year, or $25.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid airfield operations specialists make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of airfield operations specialists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $97,240 a year. The top 25% earn $78,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for airfield operations specialists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,060 a year, and a quarter of airfield operations specialists earn $46,710 or less.
How many airfield operations specialists work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 30 airfield operations specialists are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.