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Transportation

Aircraft Cargo and Baggage Lead

Supervise and coordinate the activities of ground crew in the loading, unloading, securing, and staging of aircraft cargo or baggage. May determine the quantity and orientation of cargo and compute aircraft center of gravity. May accompany aircraft as member of flight crew and monitor and handle cargo in flight, and assist and brief passengers on safety and emergency procedures. Includes loadmasters.

Annual openings

27

Median wage

$79,260

Typical education

High school (GED)

Growth 2026–2032

+17%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

High school (GED)

Credential requirement

No certification is required or expected for this job, though working at an airport requires passing a federal background check.

Work experience

Previous experience in entry-level transportation roles, with strong customer service and leadership skills are expected.

Salary/Demand information crosses multiple jobs within the Transportation industry.
Some airline companies provide formal training and experience programs to help employees transition from "Leads" to "Supervisors".

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenNo
  • On a computerNo
  • OutdoorsYes
  • With your handsYes

Interests it draws on

  • Transportation
  • Aviation

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Distribute cargo to maximize use of space.
  2. Determine the quantity and orientation of cargo, and compute an aircraft's center of gravity.
  3. Direct ground crews in the loading, unloading, securing, or staging of aircraft cargo or baggage.
  4. Train new employees in areas such as safety procedures or equipment operation.
  5. Calculate load weights for different aircraft compartments, using charts and computers.
  6. Accompany aircraft as a member of the flight crew to monitor and handle cargo in flight.
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