How to Become an

Air Force Recruiter

The complete career guide to be an Air Force Recruiter: salary, job growth, employers, best schools, and education you may need to get started.

Why We Love It

  • $63,710
    Potential Avg. Salary
  • 4.5%
    Job Growth Rate
  • Growing Demand
    Job Outlook
  • Don't Take Work Home
    Career Attribute

An Air Force recruiter’s job is to function as a human resources professional based in the military, who has the complex task of recruiting skilled talent from major communities and different local school districts.

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What is an Air Force Recruiter?

Duties

The primary job duties of an air force recruiter involve the following tasks:

  • Disseminate a wide range of information on air force training and potential employment with school administrators, government officials and other personnel.
  • Assess the capabilities of an interested candidate, especially their educational and occupational records, to assess whether the air force program will be suitable.
  • The recruiter is responsible for getting approval for an application, and compiling the required documentation like birth certificates, license copies and any medical waiver.
  • Use email and social media as mediums to interact with prospective applicants and encourage them to make an appointment to discuss enlisting.

During the final step in enlistment, you may conduct the Oath of Enlistment, during the course of which new recruits swear to uphold and defend the United States Constitution.

Day In The Life

In your role as air force recruiter, you are the first point of contact for any person that is considering joining the Air Force. It is your duty to give a detailed briefing on aspects like enlistment processes, opportunities for career growth and the type of lifestyle to expect. Due to the nature of the work, you may find yourself traveling often and connecting with varied networks to assess individuals and their readiness for employment in the Air Force. In order to develop a successful recruiting operations plan, you will cultivate and develop effective relationships with the representatives of civilian organizations, educational institutions and news media.

 

The key will always be to attract the best possible, well-qualified candidates to serve. To this end, you will spend time grooming yourself and give a positive appearance since in essence, you will be a representative of the Air Force to any civilian that interacts with you. Alternatively, the air force recruiter also needs to monitor perceptions regarding the US air force, and take steps to report any unfavorable publicity, that might result in negative public reaction, to senior officials.

Work Schedule And Typical Hours

As an air force recruiter, you will typically work at a recruitment office or in military facilities, but may have to travel very frequently to schools and other academic institutions in the surrounding area for recruitment events. Speaking engagements are also fairly common to orient potential applicants with experiences at the Air Force. Your schedule needs to be free at any time to accommodate convenient timings for applicants, which includes nights, late evenings and over the weekend. Thus, you have to be comfortable working long irregular hours, and stay in the public eye for extended periods.

Growth Of The Job

Careers in the military are promising, as per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the next decade.

Typical Employers

Air force recruiters are employed by the United States Air Force, specifically in the human resources department.

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How To Become an Air Force Recruiter

While there are no specific educational qualifications for an air force recruiter, you have to complete a training program for seven weeks and have served three years in tour of duty. There are also specific physical, age and citizenship criteria that need to be met for joining the United States Air Force to begin with. You should be a citizen of the United States or have at least legal or permanent residency. You are also expected to have a high school diploma or GED, and be no older than 39 years old. Further, all air force recruiters have to possess a valid state driver’s license to operate government motor vehicles.

There are two avenues via which you could become an air force recruiter. Either you volunteer to join that role, or the most eligible candidate is selected through an official Recruiter Selection Process as per the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC). Once selected, you need to go through a specialized instruction course to familiarize yourself with topics like benefits and entitlements, community relations, marketing concepts and presentation techniques. Passing certain tests are also part of the learning process and can include graded exercises, verbal or written assessments as well as sales pitches. Candidates that have clear and articulate communication skills, along with an enthusiastic attitude will have a distinct advantage.


Air Force Recruiter Salary Data

We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.

National Anual Salary

Low Range

$43,780

Average

$63,710

High Range

$99,920

National Hourly Wage

Low Range

$21/hr

Average

$31/hr

High Range

$48/hr

How do Air Force Recruiter salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Air Force Recruiter's can make an average annual salary of $63,710, or $31 per hour. On the lower end, they can make $43,780 or $21 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.

Salary Rankings And Facts

  • #239 Nationally for All Careers

  • Above Average Salary Nationally


Programs and Degrees

Here are the most common degrees for becoming an Air Force Recruiter. a is usually recommended and specifically a degree or coursework that prepares you for the particular field, see below.


Highest Education Among Air Force Recruiters

  • 2.3%   Doctorate
  • 15.5%   Masters
  • 42.6%   Bachelors
  • 8.6%   Associates
  • 19.9%   College
  • 10.1%   High School
  • 0.9%   Less than High School

Job Growth Projections and Forecast

2014 Total Jobs

482,000

2024 Est. Jobs

503,900

Job Growth Rate

4.5%

Est. New Jobs

21,900

How does Air Force Recruiter job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 21,900 jobs for a total of 503,900 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 4.5% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Above Average.

Growth Rankings And Facts

  • #460 Nationally for All Careers

  • Above Avg. Growth Nationally


What Companies Employ The Most Air Force Recruiters

Industry Current Jobs New Jobs Needed % Increase
Temporary help services 41,400 6,400 6%
Management of companies and enterprises 33,500 300 0%
Federal government, excluding postal service 27,200 -3,600 -4%

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