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Aircraft assembler: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$65,380median pay per year, or $31.43 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $47,310lowest 10% earn less
  2. $58,60025th percentile
  3. $65,380median
  4. $83,41075th percentile
  5. $107,500top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Aircraft assemblers (the BLS title is aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers) earned a median of $65,380 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to decline 5.6% by 2035, while all occupations are projected to grow[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-5.6%[2]
Openings per year
3,100[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[7]

How much do aircraft assemblers make?

The median wage was $65,380 a year, or $31.43 an hour, in May 2025[1]. The average was $71,420 a year, or $34.34 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[5].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $47,310 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $107,500[4]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentiles, not a starting salary[9].

Measure Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[4][10] $47,310 $22.74
25th percentile[4][10] $58,600 $28.17
Median[1] $65,380 $31.43
75th percentile[4][10] $83,410 $40.10
90th percentile[4][10] $107,500 $51.68

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out self-employed people and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[11].

Pay by state and city

Washington had the highest median wage among the 22 states with published data, at $110,470[12]. Pennsylvania ($81,680) and Connecticut ($78,630) followed[12]. Arkansas was last on that list at $46,290[12].

Kansas had the most jobs, with 9,710[13]. Washington (4,280), Texas (3,010), Georgia (2,950) and California (2,930) came next[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA had the highest median at $110,470[14]. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX was second at $86,520[14]. Wichita, KS had the most jobs of any metro area, at 9,460[15].

Show median pay in 22 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[12]$110,4704,280
Pennsylvania$81,680740
Connecticut$78,630500
Texas$76,6403,010
Arizona$73,9301,210
Georgia$72,5502,950
Colorado$70,870160
Tennessee$66,390130
Florida$64,5801,280
Nebraska$64,530220
California$63,6402,930
Kansas$59,8509,710
Alabama$58,990950
Missouri$58,600460
Oregon$58,050560
North Carolina$51,930670
Utah$51,130550
Idaho$50,10040
New York$49,620280
Oklahoma$49,070400
Michigan$47,230360
Arkansas$46,290780

How to become an aircraft assembler

Some training details below come from a BLS profile that covers assemblers and fabricators as a wider group, not only this job[16].

In an O*NET survey of 33 workers, 55% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, 16% said a post-secondary certificate, 16% a bachelor's degree and 10% an associate's degree[19]. The wider group profile also notes that employers in aerospace and defense often want soldering certifications for electrical and electronic assembly work[20].

What aircraft assemblers do

They build and install parts of aircraft and spacecraft, such as wings, tails, fuselage sections, landing gear and control equipment[21]. Typical tasks include:

Where they work

The wider group profile says assemblers and fabricators mostly work in manufacturing plants. Transportation equipment manufacturing was the largest employer group, at 25% in 2025[23][24]. The work can mean standing or sitting for long stretches, or working on ladders[23]. Some assemblers work in shifts, including evenings, weekends and nights[25].

BLS notes that aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers are among the occupations with the highest injury and illness rates. Following safety procedures and using proper lifting technique helps reduce the risk[26].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to decline 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 34,400 to 32,500 jobs[2]. These counts include self-employed workers[2]. Employment across all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[3]. BLS names productivity change as a factor: collaborative robots let employers produce more with the same amount of labor[27].

Even so, about 3,100 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings include jobs that come open when people retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.8% of workers leave the labor force and 6% move to another occupation[28].

Is it a good fit?

Pay is above the all-occupations median, and entry needs a high school diploma or equivalent plus on-the-job training[1][5][7]. The other side is the outlook. Employment is projected to fall while all occupations grow, though openings still arise each year[2][3][6]. The job is also among those with the highest injury and illness rates[26].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[29].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an aircraft assembler make an hour?
The median was $31.43 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $34.34[1][8].
What education do you need to be an aircraft assembler?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education[7].
Is aircraft assembler in demand?
Employment is projected to decline 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, but about 3,100 openings a year are projected[2][6].
What is the highest paying state for aircraft assemblers?
Washington, with a median of $110,470 a year[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers in the US was $65,380 per year and $31.43 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers is projected to decline 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 34,400 to 32,500 jobs (a change of -1,900). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers: 10th percentile $47,310, 25th percentile $58,600, 75th percentile $83,410, 90th percentile $107,500. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 3,100 openings for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers was $71,420 per year and $34.34 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers: 10th percentile $22.74, 25th percentile $28.17, 75th percentile $40.10, 90th percentile $51.68. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers jobs: Kansas 9,710; Washington 4,280; Texas 3,010; Georgia 2,950; California 2,930. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $110,470; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $86,520; Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $79,850; Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $77,920; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $75,200; Tucson, AZ $73,930; Huntsville, AL $65,860; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $65,000. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers jobs: Wichita, KS 9,460 (median $59,850); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 4,010 (median $110,470); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 2,450 (median $86,520); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,570 (median $65,000); San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA 630 (median $60,610); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 600 (median $79,850). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Assemblers and Fabricators" covers Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. O*NET 51-2011.00 survey of workers (33 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 55%, Post-Secondary Certificate 16%, Bachelor's Degree 16%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 10% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET description of Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers. O*NET OnLine
  22. O*NET task list for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers. O*NET OnLine
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of assemblers and fabricators in 2025: Transportation equipment manufacturing 25%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers: Productivity change - share decreases as collaborative robotics increase efficiency, allowing more output to be produced with the same amount of labor. BLS Employment Projections
  28. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers: 3.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  29. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.