51 Series · SOC 51-2011
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $65,380
- Median / year
- $107,500
- Top 10% earn
- -14.5%
- Growth '23–'33
- 34,020
- US workers
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers earn a median of $65,380 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $65,380, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $47,310 (10th percentile) to $107,500 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 34,020 US workers. Washington pays the most ($110,470), since pay varies by state and metro area.
The pay verdict
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers earn a median of $65,380, putting them above the typical US occupation and higher than 57% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Production, it ranks #10 of 105 by median pay. Employment is projected to fall 14.5% by 2033.
- $65,380
- Median annual wage
- Top 43%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #10 of 105
- in Production
- 2.3×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: Washington at $110,470. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers (SOC 51-2011) pays a national median of $65,380 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $47,310 at the 10th percentile to $107,500 at the 90th, with a mean of $71,420 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 34,020 Americans work in this occupation across 22 reporting states and 24 metro areas.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a -14.5% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as declining relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 2,800 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of B for this role, with a fatality rate of 3.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 3.2 per 100.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Washington pays the highest state median at $110,470, which is +69% above the national figure. The top metro is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $110,470 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.
Median Salary
$65,380
per year
Median Hourly
$31.43/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$71,420
average
Employment
34,020
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$65,380 Top 43% higher than 57% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 51-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers sits on the slower-growing side at -14.5% growth and $65,380 median pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
-14.5%
Declining
Annual Openings
2,800
per year (projected)
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Safe
Safety Grade (BLS 2023)
Fatality Rate
3.5/100K
Injury Rate
3.2/100
Danger Index
14.6/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Knowledge Areas
Key Tasks
- ▸ 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.
- ▸ Set, align, adjust, or synchronize aircraft armament or rigging or control system components to established tolerances or requirements, using sighting devices and hand tools.
- ▸ Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or welding.
- ▸ Join structural assemblies, such as wings, tails, or fuselage.
- ▸ 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.
- ▸ Position and align subassemblies in jigs or fixtures, using measuring instruments and following blueprint lines and index points.
- ▸ Fabricate parts needed for assembly or installation, using shop machinery or equipment.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
10th Percentile
$47,310
25th Percentile
$58,600
Median
$65,380
75th Percentile
$83,410
90th Percentile
$107,500
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
Lowest Paying States
View all 22 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $110,470 | +69% above national |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $81,680 | +25% above national |
| 3 | Connecticut | $78,630 | +20% above national |
| 4 | Texas | $76,640 | +17% above national |
| 5 | Arizona | $73,930 | +13% above national |
| 6 | Georgia | $72,550 | +11% above national |
| 7 | Colorado | $70,870 | +8% above national |
| 8 | Tennessee | $66,390 | +2% above national |
| 9 | Florida | $64,580 | 1% below national |
| 10 | Nebraska | $64,530 | 1% below national |
| 11 | California | $63,640 | 3% below national |
| 12 | Kansas | $59,850 | 8% below national |
| 13 | Alabama | $58,990 | 10% below national |
| 14 | Missouri | $58,600 | 10% below national |
| 15 | Oregon | $58,050 | 11% below national |
| 16 | North Carolina | $51,930 | 21% below national |
| 17 | Utah | $51,130 | 22% below national |
| 18 | Idaho | $50,100 | 23% below national |
| 19 | New York | $49,620 | 24% below national |
| 20 | Oklahoma | $49,070 | 25% below national |
| 21 | Michigan | $47,230 | 28% below national |
| 22 | Arkansas | $46,290 | 29% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 24 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $110,470 | +69% above national |
| 2 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $97,340 | +49% above national |
| 3 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $86,520 | +32% above national |
| 4 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $79,850 | +22% above national |
| 5 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $77,920 | +19% above national |
| 6 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $75,200 | +15% above national |
| 7 | Tucson, AZ | $73,930 | +13% above national |
| 8 | Huntsville, AL | $65,860 | +1% above national |
| 9 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $65,000 | 1% below national |
| 10 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $64,600 | 1% below national |
| 11 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $64,480 | 1% below national |
| 12 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $60,610 | 7% below national |
| 13 | Wichita, KS | $59,850 | 8% below national |
| 14 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $59,080 | 10% below national |
| 15 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $58,600 | 10% below national |
| 16 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $58,590 | 10% below national |
| 17 | Mobile, AL | $56,640 | 13% below national |
| 18 | Ogden, UT | $56,550 | 14% below national |
| 19 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $50,190 | 23% below national |
| 20 | Birmingham, AL | $49,900 | 24% below national |
| 21 | Oklahoma City, OK | $49,070 | 25% below national |
| 22 | Kansas nonmetropolitan area | $48,750 | 25% below national |
| 23 | Tulsa, OK | $47,840 | 27% below national |
| 24 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $38,710 | 41% below national |
Similar Occupations in the Same Category
Other roles in SOC major group 51 (production) with comparable pay and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers make? ▼
What state pays Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers the most? ▼
What education do you need to become a Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers? ▼
How dangerous is being a Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers? ▼
Is Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers a good career? ▼
How does Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers pay vary by state? ▼
Which metro areas pay the most for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers? ▼
What to do with this data
How to use Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers pay figures in a real decision
- For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $83,410/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: Washington leads at $110,470/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.