A piece of paper with the word SALARY clearly written under Description, but all other text on it is blurred. This implies this Sheffield School of Aeronautics blog will discuss Aircraft Dispatcher Salaries.

Aircraft Dispatcher Salary & Other Important Information

The current median for an Aircraft Dispatcher Salary is ~$40,000+, based on survey reports. Aircraft Dispatcher salaries vary on experience. These are the average salaries based on experience and time in this field.

Aircraft Dispatcher Salaries:

  • Entry Level: ~ $40,000-$50,000
  • Mid-Career: ~ $50,000-$80,000
  • Executive Salary: ~ $100,000-$150,000

There is quite a difference in earnings for an entry level dispatcher and an executive level dispatcher. This difference in salary is due to not only seniority, but also airline companies. An experienced aircraft dispatcher who works for a top airline can expect to earn as much as $150,000 a year, while taking advantage of overtime.

What to expect:

Starting Out: According to the Airline Dispatcher Federation, an inexperienced aircraft dispatcher at an entry-level carrier can expect to earn upwards of $29,000 per year. This earning is based off a full-time work schedule consisting of eight-hour shifts, five days a week. As an entry-level dispatcher, you should expect to work some holiday and night shifts. Some junior dispatchers can expect to receive an hourly wage in the beginning of their career. For more information on what you can expect when embarking on your aircraft dispatching career, check out Sheffield School or Aeronautics’ A Day in the Life of an Aircraft Dispatcher.

A Few Years in: This is the time to gain experience, knowledge, and seniority to land a job with a top airline. Some aircraft dispatchers might expect to have moved into airline operation centers for some of the bigger brand names., but major airlines won’t hire applicants who have not had years of experience at a smaller airline. Dispatchers who are mid-career can excel by training for more specifically qualified jobs or company select positions. Once you have found a job at a major airline, you can expect loyalty and the perks of a traditional career. Airlines respect seniority and employees have the benefit of promotions. The average aircraft dispatcher starting salary is likely $40,000 – $50,000; though this does not account for the number of junior dispatchers as compared to experienced dispatchers; skewing the numbers.

Height of Career: The height of a dispatcher’s career is reaching the supervisory role of a major airline. Senior dispatchers can expect to see a dramatic change in their salary and be on the high scale of a dispatcher’s income. Most senior level aircraft dispatchers can enjoy a more flexible schedule such as four consecutive work days and four days off the job. Shifts are adjusted accordingly to maintain a full-time schedule.

What is the Job Market for an Aircraft Dispatcher?

As in most career fields, when graduating from a prestigious and reputable school a student can expect to land a job without difficulty. However, it is not usual or expected for an aircraft dispatcher to find employment at a major airline until working for a couple of years in the field.

Although it is not common for mid-sized airlines to hire entry-level dispatchers, lower-level applicants can apply to work as assistants. By entering a mid-sized airline early on it is a great jumpstart.

Tip:

Aircraft dispatchers are not excluded from participating in internships. Internships are available in many airlines and are a great opportunity to start gaining your experience and to gain entry in a company.

If beginning a career in aircraft dispatching is something that interests you, take a look at the courses offered by Sheffield School of Aeronautics or contact us for more information.

 

  • Contact Us

    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Testimonials

    “I wanted to tell you I got the job offer from Expressjet, and start next month! I think a couple others from class were hired as well. It just shows the Sheffield reputation when I see graduates from other schools complaining that they can’t get an interview – I wasn’t even back home to Minneapolis […] Dan Gustafson
    “Being that half my new hire class dropped out over the course of training, I can confidently say that Sheffield helped to prepare me for the real world.” GT – abridged testimonial – school selection matters
    “Your school has offered me an incredible advantage in the Dispatcher job market.” D.K. D. Kircher
    “If you want to be the best, first you need to be trained by the best!” P. Hill P.Hill – DHL
    ” I have received 4 (job) offers…many of the interviews I have gotten have been because of my “pedigree”…going to Sheffield. I am amazed at the respect your school has….I am honored to be a graduate. Thank you for all the work you ..!”  Testimonial – J. Ganci
    “now that I’ve been in an indoctrination class with students from other schools, I know I made the right choice with Sheffield.”   Kindest regards,  A.R.  All schools are created equal?! yeah…sure ;)
    “After receiving my certificate, I joined a class of 4 experienced dispatchers for Part 121 initial training. Without experience, my preparation at Sheffield enabled me to become active at the same time after the initial training.” PR PR
    “As a graduate of Sheffield School of Aeronautics I am a firm believer that I received the most thorough and well thought out aircraft dispatcher training available. I owe my position in the industry to Sheffield School of Aeronautics.” BF Sidebar BF
    “Eric Morris is one of the most if not the most knowledgeable and experienced authorities on Aircraft Dispatching in the United States. He strives constantly to make the industry better.” DH sidebar DH
    “This was an amazing class! Always interesting! It was like drinking from a fire hose, but I have never enjoyed a course more than this one. Thank you for a great 5 weeks & EWINS!” R.S. R.S. Testimonial – 5-weeks & EWINS
    “Sheffield School of Aeronautics is known worldwide for its quality training and has been recommended to me by our national airline Swiss International Airlines. Whenever I mention the name ‘Sheffield’ it rings a bell in people’s ears.” IW IW
    “I am a month into my new job at a airline coming out of reorganization, and am helping the training department by referencing the excellent and up to date course book provided to all Sheffield grads.” RW RW
    “I entered my profession, with more knowledge and information than dispatchers who have been practicing their craft for more than ten years. Not only has Sheffield provided a top notch education, but they have also instilled in me the confidence to succeed.” A.Z. Sidebar AZ – Student Testimonial
    Good afternoon Eric, I wanted to reach out to let you know that training at (airline) is in full swing and I couldn’t be happier that I chose Sheffield. My classmates, while very smart, definitely had subpar training and that has been very evident. I have waited to write a full scale review of the […] Attending Sheffield School benefits airline new hires in preparation for airline training
    “Their reputation of excellence amongst the industry is second to none. Sheffield School of Aeronautics should be seen as the standard of how it can be done and how it should be done. I was hired at a major airline with no dispatch experience.” A.Z. Sidebar AZ
  • Online Catalog

    Sheffield Flight Dispatch Training Catalog

  • Connect