Careers · Transportation and material moving

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

Aircraft cargo handling supervisors oversee ground crews who load, unload, and secure cargo and baggage on aircraft. They work at airports and may also fly with cargo to monitor it during flight. The role involves managing staff, calculating aircraft weight distribution, and ensuring cargo is properly positioned and documented.

$58,170median pay, U.S., per year

$49,820–$78,530middle half earn

9,760employed in the U.S.

High school diplomatypical education · 18% hold a bachelor’s or higher

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A day in the work

A typical week involves coordinating loading and unloading operations, checking cargo documentation and weight calculations, assigning tasks to ground crew members, and inspecting aircraft to verify cargo is secured correctly. Supervisors may spend time in the cargo hold or on the tarmac in various weather conditions. They communicate with pilots, airline staff, and dispatch to keep operations on schedule.

Who this work suits

Enterprising

73Conventional

63Realistic

60Social

25Investigative

20Artistic

Holland code ECR. Enterprising work is leading, persuading and making decisions. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.

You tend to be organized and detail-oriented, with comfort following procedures and regulations. You're comfortable directing others and solving logistical problems. You prefer straightforward work with clear expectations and measurable results, and you're satisfied building expertise in established systems and processes.

What it takes

Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most people in this occupation hold a high school diploma.

Skills that matter most

Critical ThinkingManagement of Personnel ResourcesActive ListeningSpeakingMonitoringTime ManagementLearning StrategiesCoordination

Knowledge areas

Customer and Personal ServicePublic Safety and SecurityTransportationEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementAdministrative

Pay by state

State	25th pct	Median	75th pct	Employed
Georgia	$71,570	$81,380	$99,830	150
Ohio	$48,470	$79,650	$85,850	100
Louisiana	$36,510	$79,460	$79,460	40
Colorado	$73,130	$79,260	$84,690	190
Connecticut	$47,570	$78,770	$89,700	50
Virginia	$50,000	$78,420	$91,740	240
Missouri	$73,130	$76,450	$79,760	100
Indiana	$59,890	$75,880	$87,090	60
Pennsylvania	$51,490	$75,620	$80,820	450
Arizona	$56,490	$74,780	$79,610	220
Arkansas	$63,850	$73,520	$80,420	40
New Mexico	$47,330	$72,760	$79,670	50

All 36 states

Certifications people in this field hold

Certified Cargo Security Professional (CCSP) — North American Transportation Management Institute

Training

Local training programs Certifications Licenses in your state Apprenticeships

Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.

Related occupations

First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand Recycling Coordinators First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants First-Line Supervisors of Transportation Workers, All Other Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Commercial Pilots Air Traffic Controllers

Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against aircraft cargo handling supervisors and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.

Find out in 15 minutes See openings

O*NET-SOC 53-1041.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.