Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers Salary
Production Occupations · 34K employed in the U.S.
Median annual
$65,380
Median hourly
$31
Average annual
$71,420
Typical range
$47,310–$107,500
Pay distribution
10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.
What this role pays
The median annual salary for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers is $65,380 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $31 an hour at a full-time schedule.
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..
Most earn between $47,310 and $107,500 a year. There are roughly 34K people employed as aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.
Salary calculator
Convert your pay and see where it lands for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers.
- Hourly
- $31.43
- Daily
- $251
- Weekly
- $1,257
- Bi-weekly
- $2,515
- Monthly
- $5,448
- Annual
- $65,380
$65,380 a year is around the 50th percentile for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss. The median is $65,380.
Highest-paying states
Median annual wage by state.
- 1Washington$110,470
- 2Pennsylvania$81,680
- 3Connecticut$78,630
- 4Texas$76,640
- 5Arizona$73,930
- 6Georgia$72,550
- 7Colorado$70,870
- 8Tennessee$66,390
- 9Florida$64,580
- 10Nebraska$64,530
- 11California$63,640
- 12Kansas$59,850
Top-paying metro areas
Median annual wage by metro area.
- 1Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$110,470
- 2San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$97,340
- 3Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$86,520
- 4Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ$79,850
- 5Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL$77,920
- 6Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT$75,200
- 7Tucson, AZ$73,930
- 8Huntsville, AL$65,860
- 9Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$65,000
- 10Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL$64,600
- 11Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$64,480
- 12San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$60,610
Related job titles
Employers advertise Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers roles under these titles.
- A&P Technician (Airframe and Powerplant Technician)
- Aerospace Assembler
- Aircraft De-Icer Installer
- Aircraft Fuselage Framer
- Aircraft Layout Worker
- Aircraft Line Assembler
- Aircraft Part Assembler
- Aircraft Parts Assembler
- Aircraft Powerplant Repairer
- Aircraft Riveter
- Aircraft Structure Assembler
- Aircraft Structures and Surfaces Assembler
- Armament Aircraft Mechanic
- Assembler Associate
- Assembler Technician
- Assembly Riveter
Related occupations
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers$53,710
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic$63,870
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters$51,330
- Avionics Technicians$82,280
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$79,870
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$47,920
- Millwrights$65,700
- Sheet Metal Workers$61,800
What a Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers does
- Inspect or test installed units, parts, systems, or assemblies for fit, alignment, performance, defects, or compliance with standards, using measuring instruments or test equipment.
- Cut, trim, file, bend, or smooth parts to ensure proper fit and clearance.
- Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or clamps.
- Read blueprints, illustrations, or specifications to determine layouts, sequences of operations, or identities or relationships of parts.
- Adjust, repair, rework, or replace parts or assemblies to ensure proper operation.
- Clean, oil, or coat system components, as necessary, before assembly or attachment.
- Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or welding.
- Fabricate parts needed for assembly or installation, using shop machinery or equipment.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers make?
- The median annual wage for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers is $65,380 ($31 per hour). Pay ranges from about $47,310 at the 10th percentile to $107,500 at the 90th percentile.
- What is the average salary for a Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers?
- The average (mean) annual salary is $71,420, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
- Which state pays Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss the most?
- Washington has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $110,470.
- Is Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers a growing occupation?
- BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 34K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
- What does a Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers do?
- Inspect or test installed units, parts, systems, or assemblies for fit, alignment, performance, defects, or compliance with standards, using measuring instruments or test equipment.; Cut, trim, file, bend, or smooth parts to ensure proper fit and clearance.; Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or clamps..