Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
SOC 51-2011BLS OEWS May 2025
Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.
National median · BLS
$65,380
▲ +6%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$71,420
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
34,020
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$47,310
25th
$58,600
Median (50th)
$65,380
75th
$83,410
90th — top pay
$107,500
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
BLS projects employment of aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers to decline 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%.
About 3,100 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
34,400 → 32,500
-1,900 jobs
Projected change
-5.6%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
3,100
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
0.6% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salaries by state
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
State
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salaries by metro area
Search by city, ZIP code or metro name. Tap a metro for its full range.
Metro area
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Skills & tools
Skills needed for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Quality Control Analysis3.4
Active Listening3.1
Critical Thinking3.1
Monitoring3.1
Complex Problem Solving3.0
Equipment Maintenance3.0
Judgment and Decision Making3.0
Reading Comprehension3.0
Speaking3.0
Time Management3.0
Top knowledge areas
Mathematics3.5
Education and Training3.5
English Language3.4
Mechanical3.4
Production and Processing3.4
Design3.4
Computers and Electronics3.1
Public Safety and Security3.0
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordSAP softwareElectrical power management system software
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers do
Read blueprints, illustrations, or specifications to determine layouts, sequences of operations, or identities or relationships of parts.
Inspect or test installed units, parts, systems, or assemblies for fit, alignment, performance, defects, or compliance with standards, using measuring instruments or test equipment.
Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or clamps.
Mark identifying information on tubing or cable assemblies, using etching devices, labels, rubber stamps, or other methods.
Adjust, repair, rework, or replace parts or assemblies to ensure proper operation.
Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or welding.
Assemble prefabricated parts to form subassemblies.
Clean aircraft structures, parts, or components, using aqueous, semi-aqueous, aliphatic hydrocarbon, or organic solvent cleaning products or techniques to reduce carbon or other harmful emissions.
Also called
Aircraft AssemblerAssemblerSheet Metal Assembler and Riveter (SMAR)Sheet Metal MechanicAircraft Line AssemblerAssembly RiveterAssembly Technician (Assembly Tech)Sheet Metal Technician (Sheet Metal Tech)Structures MechanicStructures Technician (Structures Tech)
More job titles for this occupation (9)
Aircraft Fuselage FramerAircraft Layout WorkerAircraft Part AssemblerAircraft Structure AssemblerAircraft Surface AssemblerAssembler Technician (Assembler Tech)Precision Aircraft Structure AssemblerPrecision Aircraft System AssemblerRigging and Controls Aircraft Mechanic
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $65,380.
