Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Assemblers and fabricators build finished products and the parts that go into them.
Is aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers a good career?
It scores 12/100 and ranks #635 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays above the U.S. median wage ($65,380)
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Employment is projected to decline (-14.5% through 2034)
What aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers earn between $58,600 and $83,410 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers jobs
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No placeholder listings · nothing inventedHow to become an aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow decline through 2034.
Education
Assemblers and fabricators typically need a high school diploma or equivalent to enter the occupation.
Training
Workers typically receive several months of on-the-job training, sometimes including employer-sponsored technical instruction.
Skilled assemblers and fabricators may need special training or an associate’s degree, depending on the employer. For example, workers in electrical, electronic, and aircraft and motor vehicle products manufacturing typically need postsecondary education. Apprenticeship programs are also available.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Cerifications demonstrate competence and professionalism and may help a candidate advance in the occupation.
In addition, many employers, especially those in the aerospace and defense industries, require electrical and electronic assembly workers to have certifications in soldering.
Advancement
Experienced assemblers and fabricators may advance to become a supervisor or manager.
Important qualities
Color vision. Assemblers and fabricators who make electrical and electronic products must distinguish different colors, because the wires they often work with are color coded.
Dexterity. Assemblers and fabricators should have a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination, as they must grasp, manipulate, and assemble parts and components that are often very small.
Mechanical skills. Assemblers and fabricators must have a working knowledge of basic machinery to use programmable motion-control devices, computers, and robots on the factory floor.
Physical stamina. Assemblers and fabricators must be able to stand for long periods and do repetitive tasks. Some assemblers, such as those in the aerospace industry, must frequently bend or climb ladders when assembling parts.
Physical strength. Assemblers and fabricators must be able to lift heavy components or pieces of machinery.
Technical skills. Assemblers and fabricators must understand technical manuals, blueprints, and schematics for manufacturing a range of products and machines.
Related occupations
How much do aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers make?
The national median wage is $65,380 a year, with the middle half earning between $58,600 and $83,410 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 12 of 100 and ranks #635 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change -14.5% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent.
Where do aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers earn the most?
Among states, Washington pays the highest median ($110,470). Local pay for every state and metro is below.