Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Career, Salary and Skills
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $58,170 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 9,760. Wage data is published for 81 locations.
Occupation description
Supervise and coordinate the activities of ground crew in the loading, unloading, securing, and staging of aircraft cargo or baggage. May determine the quantity and orientation of cargo and compute aircraft center of gravity. May accompany aircraft as member of flight crew and monitor and handle cargo in flight, and assist and brief passengers on safety and emergency procedures. Includes loadmasters.
O*NET code
53-1041.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$58,170
Hourly median
$27.97
Employment
9,760
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Management of Personnel Resources | 3.75 | 3.75 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.75 | 3.50 |
| Speaking | 3.62 | 3.12 |
| Active Listening | 3.62 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | 3.62 | 3.88 |
| Time Management | 3.62 | 3.50 |
| Coordination | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.50 | 3.62 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.38 | 3.00 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.25 | 3.00 |
Typical tasks
- Determine the quantity and orientation of cargo, and compute an aircraft's center of gravity.
- Direct ground crews in the loading, unloading, securing, or staging of aircraft cargo or baggage.
- Train new employees in areas such as safety procedures or equipment operation.
- Distribute cargo to maximize use of space.
- Calculate load weights for different aircraft compartments, using charts and computers.
- Accompany aircraft as a member of the flight crew to monitor and handle cargo in flight.
Technology
- Cargo tracking system software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- Warehouse management system WMS
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Salary in CAMedian $60,530 · Employment 1,490
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Salary in TXMedian $56,290 · Employment 1,410
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Salary in KYMedian $52,530 · Employment 1,010
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Salary in FLMedian $62,240 · Employment 740
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Salary in Dallas, TXMedian $53,220 · Employment 690
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $60,530 · Employment 680
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Salary in ILMedian $58,600 · Employment 530
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Salary in Cincinnati, OHMedian $34,110 · Employment 460
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Salary in PAMedian $75,620 · Employment 450
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Salary in Houston, TXMedian $56,040 · Employment 390
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Salary in Chicago, ILMedian $70,780 · Employment 380
- Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors Salary in Miami, FLMedian $65,540 · Employment 360
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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.