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RAF airman or airwoman

Royal Air Force (RAF) airmen and airwomen use specialist skills for support roles in defence and peacekeeping missions.

Annual Salary

£16,235 to £39,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

variable

You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; away from home

0.2%
Future employment

There will be 0.2% fewer RAF airman or airwoman jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

Your day-to-day duties will vary depending on your role. You could:

  • operate aircraft weapon systems
  • be responsible for keeping explosives and munitions safe
  • keep communications networks secure
  • plan menus and prepare meals in the mess or a field kitchen
  • provide security and defence in areas like firefighting and the RAF police
  • provide medical support in dental, nursing, medical and laboratory roles
  • work in admin roles like training or recruitment
  • coordinate airspace and aircraft operations
  • analyse data or photographic intelligence
  • deliver equipment to the frontline

Working environment

You could work at a military base or in a warzone.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
Apprenticeship

You could apply to join the RAF through an HM forces serviceperson intermediate apprenticeship.

You'll still need to apply directly to the RAF to discuss which is the best apprenticeship route for you. This will depend on your qualifications and which service role you're interested in.

Entry requirements
  • entry requirements vary
For more information
Volunteering and work experience

You can join the RAF Reserve to get some experience of what life is like in the air force and to learn new skills.

You'll need to:

  • be between 18 and 54
  • commit to at least 27 days a year
  • attend a 2-week training camp each year

If you're between 13 and 18 years old, you can join the Air Cadets.

You'll visit RAF bases and develop some of the key skills that the RAF will be looking for in their recruitment selection process, should you go on to apply.

Direct application

You can apply directly to join the RAF.

You'll need:

  • at least 3 GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including English and maths, and a science for some roles
  • to be over 16 years old - upper age limit varies depending on the role
  • to be physically fit

If your initial application is accepted, you'll be invited to talk to someone at your local armed forces careers office about what you want to do, and take an aptitude test.

If you successfully complete the initial stage, you'll be invited to attend further interviews and assessments, which include fitness and medical tests.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

More information

Further information

You'll find out more about working in the RAF through RAF Careers.

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As an airman or airwoman you could move up the ranks to a more senior position like corporal or sergeant. You could also apply to become a commissioned officer.

You could go into a wide range of careers once you leave the RAF, depending on your skills, training and qualifications.

The Career Transition Partnership, Quest and Troops to Teachers have more information on careers outside the armed forces.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • physical fitness and endurance
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with others in a team
  • concentration skills and quick reactions
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
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