Careers / Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$65,380
United States, 2025
Employment
34,020
United States, 2025
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Job Zone 2
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
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.
- O*NET code
- 51-2011.00
- Job zone
- 2
- Experience required
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
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.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$47,310
25th percentile
$58,600
75th percentile
$83,410
90th percentile
$107,500
Most important skills
- Quality Control Analysis3.4
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Active Listening3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Equipment Maintenance3.0
- Repairing2.9
- Active Learning2.9
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 10 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
10
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.4 | 3.8 | Not selected | 3.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Time Management | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 | 2.9 | Not selected | 2.9 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
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Compare with Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems AssemblersHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| WA | $110,470 | 4,280 | 2025 |
| Seattle, WA | $110,470 | 4,010 | 2025 |
| San Francisco, CA | $97,340 | 90 | 2025 |
| Dallas, TX | $86,520 | 2,450 | 2025 |
| PA | $81,680 | 740 | 2025 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $79,850 | 600 | 2025 |
| CT | $78,630 | 500 | 2025 |
| Miami, FL | $77,920 | 400 | 2025 |
| TX | $76,640 | 3,010 | 2025 |
| Hartford, CT | $75,200 | 130 | 2025 |
| AZ | $73,930 | 1,210 | 2025 |
| Tucson, AZ | $73,930 | 580 | 2025 |
| GA | $72,550 | 2,950 | 2025 |
| CO | $70,870 | 160 | 2025 |
| TN | $66,390 | 130 | 2025 |
| Huntsville, AL | $65,860 | 240 | 2025 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $65,000 | 1,570 | 2025 |
| Crestview, FL | $64,600 | 90 | 2025 |
| FL | $64,580 | 1,280 | 2025 |
| NE | $64,530 | 220 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.