Considering an Aviation Career? Here’s how to get started

If you are considering pursuing your future career in the field of aviation, aerospace or defence, you will be entering one of the most exciting and dynamic sectors. The aerospace industry is a highly diverse industry, providing opportunities to individuals with different skill sets.

You may be involved in practical jobs such as an aircraft fitter, designing complex aviation equipment, leading engineering projects, or even contributing to national defence systems. No matter your background or whether you have finished education or are considering a career change, there are various ways of entering the industry.

Demand for skilled talent across aerospace and defence continues to grow, particularly in engineering, manufacturing, systems, and project delivery roles. That means there’s a real opportunity for people ready to build practical skills, gain qualifications, and step into a sector shaping the future of travel, security, and innovation.

In this guide, we’ll cover how to start an aviation career, the qualifications and skills employers look for, expected salaries, and the different types of aviation jobs available today.

Why choose a career in aviation?

Aviation and aerospace engineering are among the most interesting fields to consider as career choices today. The dynamic nature of the industry means that it offers career options ranging from engineering to manufacturing to technology to defence and commercial airlines.

The other thing that makes the aerospace engineering industry very unique is the fact that it is an innovative industry, especially when it comes to technology. Aerospace technology -  such as AI-powered systems, automation and vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft - is evolving at a rapid rate, making it necessary to have people who possess the required technical expertise and practical experience.

Apart from technical skills, aviation careers can offer strong salaries, long-term job security, structured career progression, and the chance to work on projects that have a real-world impact. Depending on the role, there may also be opportunities to travel, work internationally, or collaborate with global teams on major programmes.

According to the 2026 Aerospace and Defense Industry Outlook many organisations are planning major capacity increases, with some targeting 40% to 50% expansions over the next five years, driven by rising demand for aircraft maintenance, engineering support, and airframe services. 

That growth is expected to increase demand for skilled professionals including aircraft fitters, maintenance technicians, systems engineers, and manufacturing specialists.

Long-term forecasts show the same trend. Boeing’s Pilot and Technician Outlook 2025-2044 predicts the global aviation industry will need over the next 20 years:

• 660,000 new pilots
• 710,000 new maintenance technicians
• 1 million new cabin crew members

The most in-demand aviation roles right now

The demand for professionals in aviation and aerospace is continuously rising. The need for more specialists in this field will arise from the increasing fleet of airlines, new technologies, aging of infrastructure, and labour shortage.

Hence it’s not only the increase in the fleet of airlines but the emergence of military and aerospace projects, creates the necessity of having many specialists in this field. Such professions as pilots, aviation dispatchers, aircraft mechanics, aerospace engineers, and project managers will become especially required.

While developing commercial aviation, employers have to improve the safety of flights, build the necessary infrastructure, provide aircrafts with maintenance, among others.

Some of the most in demand roles in aviation currentely are the following:

• Aviation maintenance technicians and technical specialists
• Airport operations professionals and cabin crew
• Fuel systems and ground infrastructure specialists
• Aviation and infrastructure engineers
• Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) technicians
• Safety and compliance managers

Whether you want a hands-on technical role or a career in operations and project delivery, aviation offers a wide range of pathways into a growing global industry.

Aviation jobs with salaries

Salaries in the aviation industry vary depending on the role, qualifications, experience level, and sector you work in. Commercial aviation, aerospace engineering, and defence programmes can all offer different earning potential, particularly for specialist or senior positions.

Some of the highest-paying aviation jobs include:

• Airline Pilots - experienced commercial pilots can earn between £60,000 and £150,000+ ($100k - $350k+) per year, depending on airline, aircraft type, and flight experience.
• Aerospace Engineers - in the UK, aerospace engineers typically earn between £35,000 and £46,000, with senior or highly specialised engineers earning upwards of £100,000 (approx. $100,000 - $140,000+ in the US and parts of Europe).
• Air Traffic Controllers - salaries can range from £40,000 to £100,000 ($100,000 - $150,000) depending on experience, location, and operational responsibility. Highest salaries were found in the US, Australia, Canada, Switzerland and Germany, starting around $50k for training roles.
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineers - qualified maintenance engineers can expect salaries between £30,000 and £80,000 ($75,000 - $96,000) annually, particularly in specialist maintenance or defence environments.

While salaries differ across the sector, aviation careers often come with additional benefits such as training opportunities, overtime pay, travel allowances, pension schemes, and clear progression routes. For people willing to build technical skills and gain industry qualifications, the long-term prospects are strong.

Qualifications and training options for aviation careers

As per the job position that one applies for in the aerospace and aviation industry, the qualifications and criteria may vary. In the list below, we have mentioned some of the job positions that are commonly held by individuals working in the aerospace and aviation industry.

Airline pilot

An airline pilot is a professional who ensures the safety of operations during the flying of an airplane whether for the purpose of moving cargo or passengers. As such, his job is to operate aircraft, which involves every aspect of a flight including take-off and landing.

Requirements for becoming a pilot include:

• A Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)
• A Class 1 medical certificate
• Strong English language skills
• Good knowledge of STEM subjects such as maths and physics

The type of license one requires depends on the location; licenses are issued by the CAA in the UK, EASA in Europe, or the FAA in the US.

Aircraft fitter training

Aircraft fitter, also known as aircraft technician, inspects, repairs and maintains parts of an aircraft. The occupation is mainly acquired through apprenticeships or technical education offered by colleges.

Most people enter the role through aircraft engineering apprenticeships, aerospace engineering apprenticeships or college-based technical qualifications

Common UK qualifications include:

• Level 2 Diploma in Aerospace Engineering
• Level 3 Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance
• Level 3 Diploma in Aviation Maintenance

For higher technical occupations, an employer will expect one to have Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) in Aeronautical Engineering. For defense-oriented positions, the job holder should have undergone military training or other forms of security training.

A day in the life of an aircraft fitter

If you’re currently looking for aircraft fitter jobs, you may wonder what your workday would entail. The major activities involved are examining aircraft parts, assembling or repairing aircraft components, repairing or replacing damaged components, performing maintenance work, and analysing technical drawings and engineering documents.

The video below features what a day in the life of an aircraft fitter looks like at Marshall, a world leading aerospace and defence company, specialising in aircraft maintenance and engineering and manufacturing of military as well as commercial aircraft.

Aircraft maintenance engineer

Aircraft maintenance engineers ensure that aircraft remain safe, legal, and airworthy by performing inspections, maintenance, repairs, and overhauls on various systems.

To qualify, engineers usually need:

• EASA Part-66 or UK CAA Part-66 licences
• Approved Part-147 training
• Specialist examinations
• Between two and five years of practical experience

Key licence categories include:

• B1 Licence (Mechanical systems)
• B2 Licence (Avionics and electrical systems)

Many engineers also complete aircraft-specific type ratings to work on particular fleets.

Aerospace security-cleared roles

Many aerospace and defence positions require security clearance, particularly within military, defence, and government projects.

Common security-cleared roles include:

• Software Engineers
• Systems Engineers
• Quality Engineers
• Verification and Validation Engineers
• Technical Architects

Large aerospace and defence organisations regularly recruit cleared professionals across engineering, manufacturing, cybersecurity, and IT programmes.

If you’re looking for aerospace roles that require security clearance, these positions often require SC (Security Check) or DV (Developed Vetting) clearance, particularly within defence and government programmes.

Aerospace manufacturing roles

Aerospace does not only require pilots and aerospace engineers; it also involves people that start the whole process on the ground level, which include production operatives to assembly technologists and logistics managers. In case it is for engineering positions, some advice from recruiters or hiring managers would be useful.

When applying for jobs related to the manufacture of aircraft components in the aerospace industry, an applicant is required to have both knowledge of technology and engineering skills. This can involve being familiar with the operation of such engineering equipment as CAD and CNC machines as well as understanding various technical drawings, along with having experience with production and assembly procedures.

This list should not be considered exhaustive, as qualification/certification/credential needs can vary among employers, projects, and individual job positions.

6 benefits of working in aviation

A career in aviation does not only give you a job but gives you a chance to be part of an innovative and progressive industry that allows you to be involved in the development of revolutionary projects in the future.

1. You get to travel the world

In aviation, there is no limit to the kind of career path one can choose from. In most cases, one can get to work in different countries, work with international teams, and even work in international projects such as aerospace, defense, and commercial aviation.

2. Flexible working hours

Despite what you might think, many aviation roles offer flexible shift patterns, including compressed hours, rotating schedules, night shifts, and site-based working arrangements that suit different lifestyles.

3. Strong career development

Aviation employers often invest heavily in training, certifications, and upskilling. Apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and specialist qualifications can help people progress quickly within the industry.

4. Growing industry

Aviation is a growing industry, as evidenced by a report released by IATA, which predicts an annual growth of 4.9% in passenger traffic globally, increasing demand for skilled professionals across airlines, airports, engineering, and infrastructure.

5. A clear progression route 

Whether progressing from aircraft fitter to maintenance manager or from first officer to captain, many aviation careers offer structured progression routes and higher earning potential over time.

Creating an Aviation Resume

Creating a strong aviation CV means showing employers that you have the right technical skills, qualifications, and attention to detail for the role. If you apply for either a position that requires specific technical knowledge, qualifications, or even certifications, or flight experience, your CV needs to prove it with relevant achievements.

First impression matters: recruiters often spend from 7 to max. 30 seconds reviewing a CV before deciding whether to continue reading, so clarity and structure are essential.

How to write an aviation CV in 5 steps

1. Learn about the position
Carefully analyse the job position requirements to be able to provide relevant information in your CV.

2. Prepare all the crucial information about yourself
Collect all your academic background, certificates and licenses, technical skills, work experience, special training and clearances.

3. Make it look neat and professionally aligned
Your CV needs to be well-organised and easy-to-read. In most cases, it takes 1-2 pages of text.

4. Tailor your CV to a particular job position
Personalise your skills and experience for a certain position, instead of sending the same CV again and again.

5. Proofread before submitting
Carefully check your CV for grammatical and formatting mistakes, as attention to detail is important is a sign of professionalism. Any errors can lead to the rejection of the application.

How to apply for aviation jobs?

If you’re passionate about aviation and aerospace, such a career can bring you a lot of job satisfaction and fulfillment. At Morson, we’ve got available opportunities in aerospace design, aerospace manufacturing and aerodynamics. We recruit for positions in aerospace design, manufacturing, MRO, and engineering support, working with leading organisations including Marshall Aerospace.

The best place to start is by building a strong CV, gaining relevant qualifications, and applying for roles that match your skills and career goals.

Start your aviation job search