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Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers: Job Description
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 Do Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers Perform?
The core tasks performed by aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers cover:
- Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or clamps.
- Read blueprints, illustrations, or specifications to determine layouts, sequences of operations, or identities or relationships of parts.
- Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or welding.
- Inspect or test installed units, parts, systems, or assemblies for fit, alignment, performance, defects, or compliance with standards, using measuring instruments or test equipment.
- Adjust, repair, rework, or replace parts or assemblies to ensure proper operation.
- Cut, trim, file, bend, or smooth parts to ensure proper fit and clearance.
- Fabricate parts needed for assembly or installation, using shop machinery or equipment.
- Layout and mark reference points and locations for installation of parts or components, using jigs, templates, or measuring and marking instruments.
Skills and Knowledge
Effective aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
The abilities most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Related Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- A&P Technician (Airframe and Powerplant Technician)
- Aerospace Assembler
- Aircraft De-Icer Installer
- Aircraft Fuselage Framer
- Aircraft Layout Worker
- Aircraft Line Assembler
- Aircraft Part Assembler
- Aircraft Parts Assembler
Job Outlook
The U.S. employs around 782,560 aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +7.2% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $48,162 |
| Hourly median | $23.16 |
| 10th percentile | $30,834 |
| 25th percentile | $39,498 |
| 75th percentile | $56,826 |
| 90th percentile | $65,490 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $93,550 |
| Connecticut | $82,280 |
| Texas | $81,130 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,570 |
| Colorado | $68,230 |
| Arizona | $66,930 |
| Georgia | $65,580 |
| Missouri | $64,360 |
| Florida | $62,770 |
| Alabama | $62,010 |
| Utah | $59,810 |
| Tennessee | $59,070 |
| Kansas | $57,970 |
| California | $56,160 |
| Ohio | $55,540 |
| Oregon | $55,150 |
| Michigan | $55,070 |
| Virginia | $52,420 |
| North Carolina | $51,440 |
| Idaho | $51,210 |
| Mississippi | $49,710 |
| New York | $48,010 |
| Oklahoma | $45,840 |
| Arkansas | $40,690 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Compensation for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers differ across the country. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $82,280 | 0.8% | 0.67 |
| Far Western US | $81,360 | 22.7% | 4.47 |
| Southwest | $76,591 | 13.5% | 1.06 |
| Middle Atlantic | $72,894 | 4.5% | 0.75 |
| Southeast | $60,648 | 21.1% | 1.95 |
| Rocky Mountains | $60,390 | 1.7% | 0.55 |
| Plains States | $58,193 | 35.0% | 33.13 |
| Great Lakes | $55,128 | 0.8% | 0.21 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $94,910 | 4,390 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | TX | $83,870 | 2,450 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | PA | $79,110 | 890 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | FL | $73,040 | 140 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | MO | $70,080 | 380 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | AZ | $66,930 | 460 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $64,970 | 40 |
| Huntsville, AL | AL | $63,790 | 240 |
Industry Breakdown
Most aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 30,040 | $61,680 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 1,250 | $61,620 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 980 | $43,620 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 440 | $73,480 |
| Educational Services | 90 | $49,750 |
Below are examples of industries where aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers work:
Tools and Technology
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
Daily working conditions for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Getting Started in This Career
Entry-level aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians (Supplemental)
- Sheet Metal Workers (Primary-Long)
- Avionics Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (Supplemental)
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door (Supplemental)
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics (Supplemental)
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery (Supplemental)
Degree Programs
Students preparing for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers typically earn programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
3 programs across 1 majors
Sources
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 51-2011.00 (Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers).
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