Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Also called: Aircraft Assembler, Aircraft Fuselage Framer, Aircraft Layout Worker, Aircraft Line Assembler, Aircraft Part Assembler, Aircraft Structure Assembler, Aircraft Surface Assembler, Assembler
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.
What Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers do
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Align, fit, assemble, connect, or install system components, using jigs, fixtures, measuring instruments, hand tools, or power tools.
- Cut, trim, file, bend, or smooth parts to ensure proper fit and clearance.
- Clean, oil, or coat system components, as necessary, before assembly or attachment.
- Cut cables and tubing, using master templates, measuring instruments, and cable cutters or saws.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salary
The median annual wage for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers is $65,380 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $47,310 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $107,500. The mean annual wage is $71,420.
The mean hourly wage of $34.00 is 4.7× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $65,380 → in 3 years $70,500 → in 5 years $74,200 → in 10 years $84,200 (10-year range $72,400–$97,800). The model assumes pay growth of +2.6% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
Skills, education and requirements for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.