Production Occupations
BLS May 2025 wages O*NET task lead SOC 51-2011

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

O*NET task statements lead this Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers card before OEWS pay; neighboring titles include Power Distributors and Dispatchers, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators, Power Plant Operators, Model Makers, Metal and Plastic.

Full salary details → About this data

Same-major-group titles next to Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers: Power Distributors and Dispatchers ($107K) , Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators ($60K) , Power Plant Operators ($102K) , Model Makers, Metal and Plastic ($63K) . Hash-ordered per card so residual SOC siblings do not share an identical peer sentence.

What Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers publish as work

O*NET task statements for SOC 51-2011 - occupation-level descriptions, not every employer's posting. Sibling cards diverge here because the task set is entity-keyed.

  1. 1. Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws…
  2. 2. Read blueprints, illustrations, or specifications to determine layouts, sequences of operations, or identities or relationships of parts
  3. 3. Set, align, adjust, or synchronize aircraft armament or rigging or control system components to established tolerances or requirements, u…
  4. 4. Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or wel…
  5. 5. Join structural assemblies, such as wings, tails, or fuselage
  6. 6. Inspect or test installed units, parts, systems, or assemblies for fit, alignment, performance, defects, or compliance with standards, us…
  7. 7. Adjust, repair, rework, or replace parts or assemblies to ensure proper operation
  8. 8. Cut, trim, file, bend, or smooth parts to ensure proper fit and clearance
  9. 9. Position and align subassemblies in jigs or fixtures, using measuring instruments and following blueprint lines and index points
  10. 10. Fabricate parts needed for assembly or installation, using shop machinery or equipment
  11. 11. Layout and mark reference points and locations for installation of parts or components, using jigs, templates, or measuring and marking i…
  12. 12. Assemble prototypes or integrated-technology demonstrators of new or emerging environmental technologies for aircraft

O*NET skills and knowledge for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

Importance-ranked O*NET profile for SOC 51-2011 - entity-keyed; sibling cards diverge here even when peer titles overlap.

Top skills

  1. 1. Quality Control Analysis 3.4
  2. 2. Active Listening 3.1
  3. 3. Critical Thinking 3.1
  4. 4. Monitoring 3.1
  5. 5. Reading Comprehension 3.0
  6. 6. Speaking 3.0
  7. 7. Complex Problem Solving 3.0
  8. 8. Equipment Maintenance 3.0

Knowledge areas

  1. 1. Mathematics 3.5
  2. 2. Education and Training 3.5
  3. 3. Mechanical 3.4
  4. 4. English Language 3.4
  5. 5. Production and Processing 3.4
  6. 6. Design 3.4
National median after O*NET task lead
$65,380
/year · 12 published task lines above
Lead task: Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws…
$65K
National median
↓ -15%
Growth 2024-2034
2,800
Annual openings
34,020
Estimated US jobs
Power Distributors and Dispatchers
Highest-pay peer · $107K

Typical Entry and Preparation Assignments

Entry education High school diploma or equivalent

Top Paying States for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

1. Washington $110,470
2. Arizona $73,930
3. Florida $64,580
4. Nebraska $64,530
5. Colorado $70,870
6. Pennsylvania $81,680
7. Connecticut $78,630
8. Texas $76,640
9. Tennessee $66,390
10. Georgia $72,550

Other Production Occupations titles

  1. 1. Power Plant Operators $102,040
  2. 2. Model Makers, Metal and Plastic $63,340
  3. 3. Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators $60,020
  4. 4. Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic $63,870
  5. 5. Power Distributors and Dispatchers $106,730
  6. 6. Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers $62,750

O*NET publishes 12 leading task statements for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers (SOC 51-2011). The national OEWS median is $65,380 inside Production Occupations. Same-group neighbors: Power Distributors and Dispatchers, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators, Power Plant Operators, Model Makers, Metal and Plastic. Lead published task: Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws….

Employment Projections expect -15% change between 2024 and 2034 (declining vs baseline 3.1%). About 2,800 annual openings are projected. BLS assigns High school diploma or equivalent as typical education needed for entry. These are occupation-level assignments, not universal requirements. BLS does not publish a separate occupation-specific safety rate for this role; its broad SOC-group rate is excluded from this career card's grade.

Highest published state median in this ranking: Washington at $110,470. The table records differences without proving causes. Highest-pay peer shown here: Power Distributors and Dispatchers at $106,730. Compare the same statistic in the relevant local wage area before treating the national median as a personal benchmark; OEWS excludes employer benefits.

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Data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034.

Dive into Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers in more depth or explore nearby career data.

Full Salary Details

State, metro, and percentile breakdown

Jobs in Washington

Top-paying state for this role

Jobs in Arizona

Second-highest state pay

Power Distributors and Dispatchers

Highest-pay peer · $107K

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

Lower-pay peer · $60K

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Frequently Asked Questions

What do aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers do day to day? ▼
O*NET lists published task statements for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers. Leading ones include: Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws…; Read blueprints, illustrations, or specifications to determine layouts, sequences of operations, or identities or relationships of parts; Set, align, adjust, or synchronize aircraft armament or rigging or control system components to established tolerances or requirements, u…; Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or wel…. These are occupation-level task descriptions, not every employer's job description.
Which O*NET skills rank highest for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers? ▼
For SOC 51-2011, O*NET importance scores lead with Quality Control Analysis (3.4), Active Listening (3.1), Critical Thinking (3.1), Monitoring (3.1). Knowledge areas emphasize Mathematics, Education and Training, Mechanical. These are occupation-level profiles, not a hiring checklist for every employer.
How does Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers sit next to other Production Occupations titles? ▼
On this card, neighboring same-major-group titles include Power Distributors and Dispatchers, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators, Power Plant Operators, Model Makers, Metal and Plastic. Among those peers, Power Distributors and Dispatchers holds the highest published national median ($106,730). Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators sits lower at $60,020. Peer titles are hash-ordered per card so adjacent SOC pages do not share an identical ladder.
What is the median salary for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers? ▼
The median salary for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers is $65,380 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 OEWS data). This means half of workers in this occupation earn more and half earn less. The full range is $47,310 (10th percentile) to $107,500 (90th percentile). For context beside Power Distributors and Dispatchers ($106,730), this role's median is the OEWS national figure above.
Is Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers a growing occupation? ▼
The BLS projects -15% employment change for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers from 2024 to 2034. There are approximately 2,800 projected annual openings. This is declining relative to the current all-occupations baseline of 3.1%.
What education do you need to become a aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers? ▼
BLS assigns Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers to High school diploma or equivalent for typical education needed for entry. These occupation-level categories are not requirements for every employer or worker.
Which states pay aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers the most? ▼
The highest published state medians in this ranking for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers are Washington ($110,470), Arizona ($73,930), Florida ($64,580). The table does not identify why state estimates differ.

Source data and WageDex calculations are identified in context on this page. Wage and state figures use BLS OEWS May 2025; growth and education use BLS Employment Projections for 2024–2034; safety fields cite BLS CFOI/SOII; task statements cite O*NET where shown. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.

Disclaimer: Wage and outlook figures on this page are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute career, financial, or salary-negotiation advice. Actual pay varies by employer, experience, and local conditions; consult a career counselor or the hiring employer for guidance specific to your situation.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES Occupational wage estimates by area and industry · 2025

All federal data sources used on this page
  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS / OES) - wage estimates by area + occupation. bls.gov/oes
  • O*NET OnLine - occupation task statements (importance-ranked). onetcenter.org
  • BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) - quarterly employment and wage totals by industry. bls.gov/cew
  • U.S. Census Bureau ACS - demographic and labor-force context for metro/state aggregates. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
  • BLS Current Employment Statistics (CES) - monthly nonfarm payroll baselines. bls.gov/ces
  • IRS Statistics of Income (SOI) - payroll-tax aggregate context. irs.gov/statistics
  • BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) - unemployment context for labor-market comparisons. bls.gov/lau