Aviation Workforce

Airport service workers are the backbone of daily air travel, handling baggage, cleaning cabins, assisting passengers, and keeping terminals safe and functional. This GAO report looks at their contributions, showing how these employees generate significant non-aeronautical revenue—like $5.9 billion in ground transportation and $2.3 billion in concessions in 2023—and highlights their wages, demographics, and challenges. While their median wage of about $19.74 an hour is higher than many service jobs, some still live at or below the poverty line and face housing burdens. The study underscores their critical safety and security roles, from spotting hazards to supporting passengers, while calling attention to workforce needs and economic realities.