How much does a aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler make?
The median aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler in the United States earns $65,380 per year, about $31.43 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-2011.
Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler salary range
Pay for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $47,310 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $107,500. The average (mean) wage of $71,420 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,310 | $22.74 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $58,600 | $28.17 | |
| Median (50th) | $65,380 | $31.43 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $83,410 | $40.10 | |
| 90th percentile | $107,500 | $51.68 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers (SOC 51-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers earn the most in Washington at $110,470 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $46,290. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $110,470 | 4,280 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,680 | 740 |
| Connecticut | $78,630 | 500 |
| Texas | $76,640 | 3,010 |
| Arizona | $73,930 | 1,210 |
| Georgia | $72,550 | 2,950 |
| Colorado | $70,870 | 160 |
| Tennessee | $66,390 | 130 |
| Florida | $64,580 | 1,280 |
| Nebraska | $64,530 | 220 |
| California | $63,640 | 2,930 |
| Kansas | $59,850 | 9,710 |
| Alabama | $58,990 | 950 |
| Missouri | $58,600 | 460 |
| Oregon | $58,050 | 560 |
| North Carolina | $51,930 | 670 |
| Utah | $51,130 | 550 |
| Idaho | $50,100 | 40 |
| New York | $49,620 | 280 |
| Oklahoma | $49,070 | 400 |
| Michigan | $47,230 | 360 |
| Arkansas | $46,290 | 780 |
State median wages for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers (SOC 51-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers
The BLS projects employment of aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 5.6%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 34,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 32,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,100 openings a year for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler
The typical entry-level education for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $110,470) and the lowest (Arkansas, $46,290) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 34,020 people work as aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers in the United States. At $65,380 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler salary FAQ
How much does an aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler is $31.43. The middle half of aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers earn between $28.17 and $40.10 per hour.
What is the highest aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers earn more than $107,500 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler make a year?
The median annual salary for an aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler is $65,380. The average (mean) wage of $71,420 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler a well paid job?
At $65,380 a year, an aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 34,020 people work as aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers in the United States.
Which state pays aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers at $110,470 a year. Pennsylvania ($81,680) and Connecticut ($78,630) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler a good career?
Employment of aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers is projected to shrink 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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