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Entry Level Air Force Loadmaster Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$76K/yr

This position falls under the Air Force Pilot for Position Classification and Improved Processes ... entry-level training at home agency). * This is a Mission Essential (ME) position performing a ...

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Entry Level Air Force Loadmaster information

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$29.5K

$48.8K

$61.5K

How much do entry level air force loadmaster jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level air force loadmaster in the United States is $48,812.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,000.00 and $53,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Air Force Loadmaster vs Flight Operations Specialist?

AspectEntry Level Air Force LoadmasterFlight Operations Specialist
CertificationsBasic military training, specialized loadmaster coursesFAA certifications, aviation safety training
Work EnvironmentMilitary aircraft, cargo and personnel loadingCommercial or private aircraft, flight planning
Employer & IndustryU.S. Air Force, military aviationAirlines, charter companies, private aviation

The Entry Level Air Force Loadmaster primarily works in military settings, focusing on cargo and personnel loading for military aircraft, requiring military training and loadmaster certifications. In contrast, Flight Operations Specialists work in commercial aviation, handling flight planning and safety procedures, often with FAA certifications. Both roles involve aviation safety and cargo management but differ in work environment and employer type.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level Air Force Loadmasters during their first year, and how can they prepare for them?

Entry level Air Force Loadmasters often face challenges such as adapting to irregular work hours, quickly learning complex cargo loading procedures, and operating under high-pressure conditions. New Loadmasters must also become proficient with various aircraft types and safety regulations while developing strong teamwork and communication skills, as they frequently coordinate with pilots, ground crews, and other support personnel. To prepare, candidates should focus on physical fitness, attention to detail, and adaptability, as well as seeking mentorship from experienced Loadmasters to ease the transition into the operational environment.

What does an Entry Level Air Force Loadmaster do?

An Entry Level Air Force Loadmaster is responsible for the safe loading, securing, and unloading of cargo and passengers on military aircraft. They calculate proper weight distribution to ensure the aircraft remains balanced during flight, follow strict safety protocols, and often assist with airdrop missions. Loadmasters also prepare cargo documentation, inspect equipment, and coordinate with pilots and ground crews to support mission requirements. This role requires attention to detail, teamwork, and adaptability to various operational environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Air Force Loadmaster, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Air Force Loadmaster, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, strong math and mechanical aptitude, and successful completion of Air Force technical training. Mastery of load planning software, weight and balance systems, and familiarity with cargo handling equipment are typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and problem-solving skills help ensure safe and efficient operations under pressure. These abilities are crucial for maintaining aircraft safety, mission effectiveness, and compliance with strict Air Force regulations.
More about Entry Level Air Force Loadmaster jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Air Force Loadmaster jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Air Force Loadmaster job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Air Force Loadmaster jobs? The most popular types of Air Force Loadmaster jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Air Force Loadmaster jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Air Force Loadmaster jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Air Force Loadmaster jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Air Force Loadmaster jobs are:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Air Force Loadmaster job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% Internship, 7% As Needed, 63% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,812 per year, or $23.5 per hour.

AIRCRAFT LOADMASTER (INSTRUCTOR)

Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command

Minneapolis, MN โ€ข On-site, Remote

$67K - $87K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Summary
This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) position. ARTs are part of the regular career civil service and enjoy all the benefits granted to Federal employees in the competitive civil service.
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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The primary purpose of this position is: as an Air Reserve Technician (ART) to administer, schedule, and conduct flight and ground training which develops, upgrades, and evaluates the skills of loadmaster aircrew members; to perform aircrew duties as instructor loadmaster in the unit type aircraft and to perform related staff support duties; to train reservists in these duties.
Duties:
  1. Develops and provides technical loadmaster upgrade and proficiency training/instruction to Reserve aircrew members and ART personnel.
  2. Accomplishes all requirements involved in mission planning and coordination. Completes various administrative tasks.
  3. Accomplishes a wide variety of pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight duties required by the nature of the aircraft assigned and the aircraft's specialized mission
  4. Briefs passengers on in-flight and emergency procedures and demonstrates the use of emergency equipment.
  5. Evaluates aircrew members performance during all phases of flying mission execution. Prepares aircrew performance critiques.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Must be a current member of the AF Reserve or willing/qualified to join
  • The position requires the incumbent to obtain and retain the appropriate security clearance designated for the position
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • Total salary varies depending on location of position
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • This is a testing designated position.
  • Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays
  • Shift work and emergency overtime may be required
  • Employee must maintain current certifications
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position
  • Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position
  • Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period.
  • AFSC: 1A172N

Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants will be rated in accordance with the FPM 930-71 Recruitment of Air Reserve Technicians through Competitive Examination (ART Agreement)-SUPPLEMENTAL QUALIFICATION POLICY, DATED 6-OCT-2017. No specific length of experience is required. The qualifications of loadmasters in the Air Force are directly related to the completion of prerequisite training rather than years of experience. Applicants for all positions must have logged the minimum number of hours indicated below in the performance of Aircraft Loadmaster duties.
Applicants must have been qualified as Aircraft Loadmaster within 8 YEARS of the date of application. Applicants for instructor or examiner positions must be within the past 8 YEARS instructor or examiner qualified in the specific type of aircraft. Applicant must have been awarded or qualify for a Career Enlisted Aviator Air Force Specialty Code and hold a valid aviation aeronautical order. Must be currently qualified as Instructor in Mission Design Series and have a minimum of 500 Total Military Flight Time.
NOTE: Candidates establishing eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot, flight instructor, or flight examiner, as appropriate. Other certificates that meet/exceed the requirements of the Commercial Pilot Certificate are also acceptable e.g., an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.
FEDERALTIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-08 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
  1. Knowledge of systems and equipment associated with the cargo function, including operation of doors, loading ramps, cargo winches, restraint rail systems, and assigned passenger/cargo compartment systems, such as oxygen, lighting, interphone, auxiliary power unit, crew or passenger required items, and emergency procedures, evacuation routes and use of survival equipment.
  2. Knowledge of aircraft capacity and limitations, including floor load restrictions, shoring and restraint requirements, and use of load charts and graphs, as applied in consideration of weight and balance factors during preparation of loading plans to provide the optimum center of gravity throughout the flight.
  3. Knowledge of procedures for preparing cargo for loading, palletized cargo, vehicle preparation, handling and placement of hazardous cargo, and preparing containers and pallets for airdrop, configuring for personnel airdrops.
  4. Skill to direct crews in loading according to weight and balance factors, cargo destination, emergency jettison plans, and use of rigging extraction systems for aerial delivery mission.
  5. Skill to perform preflight checks and inspections.
  6. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to prepare lessons, documents and reports, present training/instruction, and brief passengers and crews.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS:
  1. This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) enlisted position. The incumbent is required to meet and maintain Air Force Reserve requirements. Work schedule will be aligned to allow incumbent to fully participate in UTAs. The incumbent's regular assignments are ART duties; however, the incumbent may be assigned some non-ART duties, generally not to exceed 30 percent of total responsibilities.
    The position requires the incumbent to obtain and retain the appropriate security clearance designated for the position.
  2. This is a testing designated position.
  3. As prescribed by regulation, may be required to carry and utilize a concealed weapon while performing aircrew- related duties. May be required to perform duties of sky marshal. Required to maintain proficiency in the use of firearms
  4. This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position
  5. The incumbent may be required to fly in military and/or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments (TDY). The incumbent may be required to work overtime to meet workload demands
  6. Performs other duties as assigned

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) position. ARTs are eligible for 15 days active duty tour each year for which military leave is granted with full civilian pay. Air Reserve units and members; are subject to immediate call to active duty in mobilization to meet a national emergency. For additional information regarding ART positions and/or military qualifications, please call 1-800-257-1212. Retired military are usually ineligible for membership in the AF Reserve. Retired military that have active AF Reserve assignments may apply provided they show assignment (position) on the application. A military service member's statement of service/certification will be accepted IF a terminal leave form or DD214 cannot be provided. The statement/certification should indicate member's separation from active duty is within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. It must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin, your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave.
Individuals selected for ART positions must meet both civilian qualifications and uniformed military requirements. In addition to meeting civilian qualifications, applicants must obtain military membership in the Air Force Reserve, wear the uniform, maintain job-specific military specialty requirements, and meet other military qualifications such as age, height, weight, and physical fitness standards. For more information click here and speak with an Air Force Reserve Recruiter.
Education
IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
Additional information
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.
Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.
Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.
120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.
Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected, and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.
Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.
Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.
If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule...