Airfield Operations Specialists
Machines can already do 27% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 55%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Airfield Operations Specialists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 27% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 5% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 55% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 15,190 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $56,850 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 90% for contact with people.
- Also called: Airfield Operations Specialist, Airport Operations Agent, Airport Operations Coordinator, Airport Operations Officer.
- Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspect airfield conditions to ensure compliance with federal regulatory requirements | 10% | 3% to 30% | |
| Implement airfield safety procedures to ensure a safe operating environment for personnel and aircraft operation | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Perform and supervise airfield management activities, including mobile airfield management functions | 7% | 3% to 30% | |
| Monitor the arrival, parking, refueling, loading, and departure of all aircraft | 7% | 40% to 80% | |
| Coordinate communications between air traffic control and maintenance personnel | 6% | 30% to 54% | |
| Conduct inspections of the airport property and perimeter to maintain controlled access to airfields | 5% | 30% to 75% | |
| Coordinate with agencies, such as air traffic control, civil engineers, or command posts, to ensure support of airfield management activities | 5% | 10% to 27% | |
| Maintain flight and event logs, air crew flying records, and flight operations records of incoming and outgoing flights | 5% | 70% to 95% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills airfield operations specialists use most, most used first.
Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace
How much airfield operations specialists rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.
- Go-to problem solver7/10
- Trust and reliability9/10
- Know-how about the organisation9/10
- Network and relationships5/10
- Mentoring and developing others6/10
- Culture and morale7/10
- Initiative beyond the role5/10
- Calm in a crisis10/10
- Bridge between teams6/10
- Reputation and influence4/10
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $77,970
- First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants51% of tasks by 2035
- Fish and Game Wardens39% of tasks by 2035 · US median $74,060
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $56,870
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Airfield Operations Specialists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of airfield operations specialists?
Machines can do 27% of the tasks of airfield operations specialists today and 55% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 53-2022.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Airfield Operations Specialists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/airfield-operations-specialists/