Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
SOC code 51-2011 · O*NET-SOC 51-2011.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$65,380
a year
Hourly
$31.43
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$71,420
$34.34 per hour
Middle 50%
$58,600 – $83,410
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$47,310 – $107,500
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
34,020
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $47,310
- $22.74/hr
- 25th percentile
- $58,600
- $28.17/hr
- Median percentile
- $65,380
- $31.43/hr
- 75th percentile
- $83,410
- $40.10/hr
- 90th percentile
- $107,500
- $51.68/hr
What do aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Set, align, adjust, or synchronize aircraft armament or rigging or control system components to established tolerances or requirements, using sighting devices and hand tools.
- Join structural assemblies, such as wings, tails, or fuselage.
- Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or clamps.
- Capture or segregate waste material, such as aluminum swarf, machine cutting fluid, or solvents, for recycling or environmentally responsible disposal.
- Mark identifying information on tubing or cable assemblies, using etching devices, labels, rubber stamps, or other methods.
- Position and align subassemblies in jigs or fixtures, using measuring instruments and following blueprint lines and index points.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 55% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)55%
- Post-Secondary Certificate16%
- Bachelor's Degree16%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree10%
Common questions
How much does an aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers earn?
The national median is $65,380 a year. The full range runs from $47,310 at the 10th percentile to $107,500 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.1/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Mathematics3.5/5
- Education and Training3.5/5
- Mechanical3.4/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Production and Processing3.4/5
- Design3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.1/5
- Public Safety and Security3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Quality Control Analysis, Complex Problem Solving, Equipment Maintenance, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management.