Transportation and Materials Moving
Air Transportation
Focuses on the general study of aviation and the aviation industry, including in-flight and ground support operations. Covers the technical, business, and general aspects of air transportation systems.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 8 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General
- Focuses on the general study of aviation and the aviation industry, including in-flight and ground support operations. Covers the technical, business, and general aspects of air transportation systems.
- Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills to the flying and/or navigation of commercial passenger and cargo, agricultural, public service, corporate and rescue fixed wing aircraft. Covers principles of aircraft design and performance, aircraft flight systems and controls, flight crew operations and procedures, radio communications, navigation procedures and systems, airways safety and traffic regulations, and governmental rules and regulations pertaining to piloting aircraft. Programs may qualify individuals to sit for the FAA commercial and airline aircrew examinations.
- Aviation/Airway Management and Operations
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills to the management of aviation industry operations and services. Covers 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.
- Air Traffic Controller
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills to air-traffic management and control, usually with additional training at the FAA Flight Control Center in a cooperative education program. Covers flight control, the use of radar and electronic scanning devices, plotting of flights, radio communication, interpretation of weather conditions affecting flights, flight instrumentation used by pilots, and maintenance of flight-control center or control-tower log books.
- Airline Flight Attendant
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills to the performance of a variety of personal services conducive to the safety and comfort of airline passengers during flight, including verifying tickets, explaining the use of safety equipment, providing passenger services, and responding to in-flight emergencies.
- Flight Instructor
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills to the training of pilots or navigators, to prepare them to fly and/or navigate commercial passenger and cargo, agricultural, public service, corporate and rescue aircraft, and fixed or rotary wing aircraft. Covers principles of aircraft design and performance, aircraft flight systems and controls, flight crew operations and procedures, radio communications and navigation procedures and systems, airways safety and traffic regulations, and governmental rules and regulations pertaining to piloting aircraft. Programs may qualify individuals to administer the FAA commercial air crew examinations.
- Remote Aircraft Pilot
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills to fly unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for commercial, professional, or personal use, and qualifies individuals to sit for the FAA Remote Pilot Certificate with small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) rating knowledge examination. Covers principles of unmanned aircraft system design and performance; aircraft flight systems and controls; airway safety and traffic regulations; and governmental rules and regulations pertaining to piloting unmanned aircraft.
- Air Transportation, Other
- Aviation and air transportation services not listed above.
Also called Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
- Median pay
- $107,230
- Hiring change through 2035
- 6.1%
- Job openings a year
- 18,300
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career GrowingAirline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
- Median pay
- $232,140
- Hiring change through 2035
- 8.3%
- Job openings a year
- 11,200
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing fastFlight Attendants
- Median pay
- $63,580
- Hiring change through 2035
- 8.8%
- Job openings a year
- 18,500
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career GrowingCommercial Pilots
- Median pay
- $123,220
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.2%
- Job openings a year
- 5,200
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career Growing slowlyAir Traffic Controllers
- Median pay
- $148,080
- Hiring change through 2035
- 1.7%
- Job openings a year
- 2,100
To get hiredAssociate's degree
Explore this career GrowingAirfield Operations Specialists
- Median pay
- $56,850
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.8%
- Job openings a year
- 1,500
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $44,117 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Most careers connected to this field involve in-person work. About 65 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.
College options
Where to study it
Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.