The US Air Force officers have a long history of serving their country. From World War I to present-day conflicts, they continue to serve as the backbone of America’s defense system.
If you want to join this prestigious profession to protect the integrity of the United States, there are many career options in the Air Force.
In this article, we will list the 15 best jobs in the Air Force for you to choose the one that best matches your skillset. Carefully read through!
Why Should You Work In The Air Force?
The Air Force officer defends the United States by controlling and exploiting air and space. Working as a US air force officer offers more than salary remuneration but also prestige, dignity, and an opportunity to serve the country.
Here are a few reasons why you should take up a job as an Air force officer in 2023.
1. Steady income
As an air force officer, you get paid twice every month. The first pay comes on the 1st of every month while the second one comes on the 15th. This is usually done based on your pay grade and service requirements.
2. Advancement
Working as an air force personnel gives you an opportunity for advancement, usually based on knowledge and performance.
3. Paid vacation
Air force officers are entitled to an all-expense paid 30 days vacation. This allows them to travel, spend time with loved ones and explore foreign locations.
Airmen can use space aboard Air Force planes to fly to many international destinations and practically any state in the United States. They can enjoy hotel-quality housing on base for a discounted fee when traveling to another military facility.
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4. Education
Working as an air force officer exposes you to various educational training to help you reach your peak as an officer. On your first day of acceptance, you will be enrolled in the Community College of the Air Force, earning college credit in Basic Military Training.
Additionally, the Air Force offers scholarship opportunities to outstanding officers to further their education. You can get up to 100% tuition assistance through the Air Force Tuition Assistance program, the Montgomery GI Bill, or the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
5. Access to health care
Air force officers receive free medical and dental care while on active duty.
6. Insurance
The Air Force delivers world-class insurance policies to our Airmen and their families. They receive competitive compensation, low-cost, complete medical and dental care at military or civilian institutions, total pay and sick leave allowances, and low-cost life insurance.
Additionally, active-duty members can select up to $200,000 in term life insurance for $18 per month.
7. Allowances
You may also be eligible for additional tax-free money for Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) if government housing is not available; Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) if government food facilities are not available in the area where you are stationed; and a uniform allowance (for enlisted personnel only) to assist with uniform maintenance.
Furthermore, a monthly tax-free housing allowance based on rank, family status, and geographic location is provided for off-base residents to help pay for living expenses.
8. Retirement
The Air Force offers a significant retirement package. After 20 years of service, airmen are entitled to retire and begin collecting benefits on the day they retire. There are no payroll deductions required for the Air Force retirement plan.
Those who want to save a little extra each month can participate in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)*, which allows participants to put a portion of their monthly wages into an account comparable to a 401(k).
15 Best Jobs In The Air Force In 2023
Here’s a list of the best jobs for an air force officer:
1. Security engineer
National average salary: $48,201 per year
Security engineers create data technology security methods that aid in the prevention of breaches and leaks.
Airmen who work in cybersecurity employ technological skills and techniques such as firewalls and data encryption technology to develop effective security procedures for handling classified and sensitive national security material. Furthermore, security engineers monitor systems to verify that they are operational and not vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
2. Intelligence analyst
National average salary: $51,371 per year
Intelligence analysts are in charge of gathering information from a range of sources. They assess national security information and intelligence, and they employ law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks, and geographic information systems to predict and combat crime.
To be an intelligence analyst, you have to master the act of communication since they frequently interact with other agencies or departments in order to protect the persons under their authority.
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3. Police officer
National average salary: $52,098 per year
Next on our list of best jobs in the air force officer, is a police officer.
Air force police officers protect public safety. They are responsible for discouraging crime, patrolling defined locations, and monitoring situations. It is also their duty to conduct criminal investigations by questioning victims, witnesses, and suspects.
During an emergency, air force police officers are often the first responders. They work to secure bases, protect people and investigate offenses.
To become a police officer, you must have a bachelor’s degree with a specialization in one of the following: sociology, criminology, police administration, criminal justice, or a related area.
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4. Logistics planner
National average salary: $59,850 per year
An air force logistics planner is one of the best jobs in the air force. It is their duty to ship high-security cargo items. Also, it is their responsibility to monitor and track shipping equipment carefully.
They coordinate the shipment and receipt of various supplies, goods, food items, and even people. Logistics planners ensure items arrive at their destination on schedule.
5. Health and safety manager
National average salary: $62,963 per year
Moving on to the next on our list of best jobs in the air force is the health and safety manager. Health and safety managers collaborate with other organizations to reduce the likelihood of accidents and other workplace difficulties.
These professionals are critical in sustaining error-free military operations in the Air Force to ensure no risk of harm or property damage. They get risk assessment training and collaborate with other managers and supervisors to provide safety suggestions.
6. Paralegal
National average salary: $69,687 per year
Paralegals help lawyers and other legal professionals complete administrative activities such as document drafting, file organization, and legal library maintenance. They are also in charge of summoning and arranging legal witnesses.
Paralegals and legal operations specialists in the Air Force are frequently well-versed in both federal and state law.
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7. Airborne cryptologic linguists
National average salary: $46,679 per year
Airborne cryptologic linguists are to translate or transcribing data in both written and spoken form. They also monitor surveillance systems and listen in on communications.
These specialists keep US forces in touch with the rest of the world, whether at home or abroad. Cryptologic linguists must have excellent communication skills since they are accountable for delivering a complete communications picture to combatant commanders.
These quick and exact translations have the potential to impact military activities; thus, they must be exceedingly dependable. It’s a vital job that requires high devotion and dedication.
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8. Air traffic controller
National average salary: $85,052 per year
Air traffic controllers are to monitor and directing aircraft both on the ground and in the air.
As an Air Traffic Controller, you must interact with Air Force pilots to update them on weather, runway closures, and other important information. Air traffic controllers also issue landing and take-off instructions to control all ground traffic on runways.
9. Command center operator
National average salary: $87,590 per year
This is one of the most rewarding jobs in the air force. A command center operator handles communication and dissemination of information regulation in response to emergencies.
These officials are the first point of contact in case of emergencies.They respond to incidents and support security officers by monitoring different systems to ensure people and property safety.
10. Pilot
National average salary: $114,612 per year
Air Force pilots handle safely flying planes and helicopters while interacting with air traffic controllers. They must assess flight plans, precisely calculate fuel, monitor weather, and test equipment for functionality.
To become an Air Force pilot, you must first finish the Air Force’s specialized undergraduate pilot training program, followed by training at the Officer Training School (OTS), the Air Force Academy (AFA), or the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC).
11. Physician
National average salary: $145,065 per year
Air force physicians are critical in keeping Air Force members healthy enough to accomplish their tasks effectively. They work in a fast-paced atmosphere and can deliver practically any treatment you receive in a civilian hospital.
They diagnose patients, provide treatment programs, prescribe medication, and perform therapeutic procedures. To properly treat patients, physicians must also be able to read test results and communicate with other medical specialists.
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12. Air Force TACP Officers
National average salary: $53,522
A Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Officer coordinates lethal and nonlethal combined firepower wherever and whenever the combat requires it. They are the principal Air Force advisors to US Army, joint, multinational, and special operations ground force commanders on air, space, and cyber power integration.
To become a TACP officer, you must finish the JTAC specialist training, become a survival expert, attend Airborne school, and pass specific examinations four times a year.
13. Special Tactics Officer
National average salary: $60,293
Special Tactics Officers are elite special operators uniquely competent in commanding and controlling operations that integrate air and ground assets, which are frequently required in special operations to achieve combat objectives.
STOs lead Special Tactics Teams (STTs) to prepare for global contingency operations in both hostile and austere situations, ranging from counterterrorism missions to global humanitarian relief operations.
14. Air battle Manager Officer
National average salary: $51,580
The Air Battle Manager Officer position is a good air force career. As an Air Battle Manager Officer, you work in alliance with command-and-control battle management.
It is your duty to Plan, prepare and accomplish theater air operations, analyze national protection strategy and apply it accordingly to battle strategy, develop and conduct flying and simulation exercises, and conduct, manage, evaluate and improve unit training and readiness. Lastly, they create operational policies by supervising mission-specific.
This is one of the best officer positions because they manage the chaos that arises from warfare by applying all of their skills to ensure the best possible outcome of the battle.
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15. Weather Officer
National average salary: $69,296
Working as an air force officer offers you a chance to serve your fatherland honorably. For this reason, people decide to become weather officers in the US Air Force.
Weather officers work with meteorologists to predict the weather condition for military operations. Soldiers and pilots use these forecasts to avoid poor weather and finish their missions safely. Weather officers are in charge of supervising the safe process of weather machines, as well as assisting in the collection of weather data to ensure accurate forecasting. AFROTC).
What Are The Requirements To Work In The Air Force
A career in the Air Force is respectable and extremely rewarding, but it takes discipline before you begin training. The Air Force maintains strict standards, most of which are under your control. If you want to be an Airman, be sure you complete the criteria today and make decisions that will keep you eligible in the future.
Here are the basic requirements you need to satisfy to work as an air force officer:
- Applicants must be between 17 and 39 years of age.
- You must be a U.S. citizen or legal, permanent resident.
- Have a high school diploma, GED with at least 15 college credits, or GED.
- Airforce officers must be in good health.
- Must be in good physical and mental health.
- To join the Air Force as an officer, you must have a four-year college degree or be within 365 days of receiving your bachelor’s degree at the time of application.
- All Air Force personnel must bear arms in defense of the US.
FAQs On Jobs In The Air Force
When you enlist in the Air Force, you agree to an eight-year Military Service Obligation, with the option of four or six years of active-duty service. Qualified persons who enroll for four years of active duty will be required to serve four years in the Inactive Ready Reserve.
To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
Be a citizen of the United States.
Take the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test.
Pass the Air Force physical fitness test.
Score well on the SAT or ACT.
Have at least 90 college credits (if currently enlisted)
Be at least 18 years old and less than 35.
The applicant is assured of being chosen for a job that falls into one of the identified aptitude areas under the guaranteed aptitude program. The Air Force has classified all professions into four categories: general, mechanical, electronic, and administrative.
Salary levels in the Air Force are determined by rank and years of service. Air Force occupations provide numerous options for advancement. You will always be aware of your present and expected pay and the support of a comprehensive benefits package.
Conclusion
There are several benefits to joining the US Air Force, including free college tuition and access to healthcare. Plus, you get paid to travel and see the world around the country. And if you’re looking for a career change, the military offers excellent training opportunities. Take that chance today!
References
- atlanticride.com – 11 Best Air Force Officer Jobs in the US army
- indeed.com – 11 of the Highest-Paying Air Force Jobs
- operationmilitarykids.org – Best Air Force Officer Jobs
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