Also called: Air Boss, Air Show Air Operations Director
Controls the sky over an air show, sequencing jets, stunt planes and parachute teams by radio so everyone performs safely.
From a stand at the edge of the runway, the air boss talks to every performer by radio, clears them into the show box, and holds the next act until the sky is safe. They brief pilots in the morning, watch winds and clouds, and stop the show if something goes wrong. Most air bosses work weekends during the summer show season.
Mostly part-time, paid per show during the season.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 2 years after high school. Usually an experienced pilot or air traffic controller with air show recognition.
Ways in: Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Aviation, Air Traffic Management.
Growing about average. Steady number of U.S. air shows each year.
Low risk for 10 years. Tracking tools help, but running a live air show safely is human judgment.
Classes: Physics, Public speaking, Geography.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.