What Does it Take to Be an Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler?
Job Description & Duties 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.
Life As an Aircraft Structure Assembler: What Do They Do?
- Weld tubing and fittings or solder cable ends, using tack-welders, induction brazing chambers, or other equipment.
- 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.
- Fit and fasten sheet metal coverings to surface areas or other sections of aircraft prior to welding or riveting.
- Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or welding.
- Install mechanical linkages and actuators, using tensiometers to verify tension of cables.
- Monitor robotic assembly equipment, such as snake-arm robots, used to assemble, seal, or swage aircraft structures.
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Things an Aircraft Structure Assembler Should Know How to Do
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Types of Aircraft Structure Assembler Jobs
- De-Icer Installer
- Rigging and Controls Aircraft Mechanic
- Cable Assembler and Swager
- Structures Mechanic
- Assembler Technician
Is There Going to be Demand for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers?
There were about 41,800 jobs for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler. The BLS estimates 3,200 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Aircraft Structure Assembler are Utah, Nebraska, and Alabama. Watch out if you plan on working in Ohio, Arkansas, or West Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for an Aircraft Structure Assembler
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers make between $32,250 and $82,390 a year.

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers who work in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, or Texas, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $50,830 |
Arizona | $50,910 |
Arkansas | $56,110 |
California | $49,600 |
Colorado | $50,620 |
Connecticut | $74,500 |
Florida | $48,390 |
Georgia | $58,750 |
Illinois | $51,050 |
Indiana | $47,900 |
Michigan | $52,260 |
New Jersey | $48,760 |
New York | $49,750 |
Ohio | $44,240 |
Oklahoma | $48,270 |
Pennsylvania | $77,540 |
Texas | $60,010 |
West Virginia | $51,180 |
What Tools & Technology do Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Data entry software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
How do I Become an Aircraft Structure Assembler?
Learn what Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become an Aircraft Structure Assembler?

Where do Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers Work?

Below are examples of industries where Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers work:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being an Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler may also be interested in:
- Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
- Conveyor Operators and Tenders
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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