Ground Services

Applicants must achieve a number of minimal standards in order to work as a member of an international airline ground service. They must be able to lift weights of 50 to 75 pounds and pass security background checks. They must be able to bend and kneel as well as navigate into cargo compartments of aircraft. They should also be able to do repetitive tasks with great precision. International airlines also expect all of their employees to adhere to strict safety guidelines. Ground crew positions are among the lowest paid at international airlines because the standard educational requirement is a high school Diploma. Starting hourly rates typically vary between $9.25 and $11.00 per hour, however they might be as low as minimum wage. Wages differ from state to state. For example, in Massachusetts, the average ground crew worker wage is $16 per hour, whereas in New York, it is $9.74 per hour. The typical income for an airline career might also vary. According to an MIT study of airlines, ground crew pay on economy flights can be as low as $25,263, while ground crew compensation on major airlines can be as high as $43,340 per year.