Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salary in the U.S.
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers in the U.S. earn a median of $65,380 a year ($31.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 34,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,500 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $71,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,310 | $22.74 |
| 25th percentile | $58,600 | $28.17 |
| Median | $65,380 | $31.43 |
| 75th percentile | $83,410 | $40.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Average (mean) | $71,420 | $34.34 |
Half of aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,448.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,724.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,514.62 |
| Weekly | $1,257.31 |
| Hourly | $31.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $110,470 | 4,280 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,680 | 740 |
| Connecticut | $78,630 | 500 |
| Texas | $76,640 | 3,010 |
| Arizona | $73,930 | 1,210 |
| Georgia | $72,550 | 2,950 |
| Colorado | $70,870 | 160 |
| Tennessee | $66,390 | 130 |
| Florida | $64,580 | 1,280 |
| Nebraska | $64,530 | 220 |
| California | $63,640 | 2,930 |
| Kansas | $59,850 | 9,710 |
| Alabama | $58,990 | 950 |
| Missouri | $58,600 | 460 |
| Oregon | $58,050 | 560 |
| North Carolina | $51,930 | 670 |
| Utah | $51,130 | 550 |
| Idaho | $50,100 | 40 |
| New York | $49,620 | 280 |
| Oklahoma | $49,070 | 400 |
| Michigan | $47,230 | 360 |
| Arkansas | $46,290 | 780 |
Best-paying metro areas for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $110,470 | 4,010 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $97,340 | 90 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $86,520 | 2,450 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $79,850 | 600 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $77,920 | 400 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $75,200 | 130 |
| Tucson, AZ | $73,930 | 580 |
| Huntsville, AL | $65,860 | 240 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $65,000 | 1,570 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $64,600 | 90 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $64,480 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $60,610 | 630 |
| Wichita, KS | $59,850 | 9,460 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $59,080 | 310 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $58,600 | 410 |
Metro areas with the most aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KS | 9,460 | $59,850 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 4,010 | $110,470 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 2,450 | $86,520 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 1,570 | $65,000 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 630 | $60,610 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 600 | $79,850 |
| Tucson, AZ | 580 | $73,930 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 410 | $58,600 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 400 | $77,920 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 310 | $59,080 |
| Huntsville, AL | 240 | $65,860 |
| Ogden, UT | 210 | $56,550 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 200 | $58,590 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 190 | $49,070 |
| Mobile, AL | 180 | $56,640 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,650 | $21.47 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,850 | $22.04 |
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | $51,330 | $24.68 |
| Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | $53,710 | $25.82 |
| Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators | $46,880 | $22.54 |
| Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $48,220 | $23.18 |
| Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters | $62,620 | $30.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,450 | $35.79 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,750 | $25.84 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,220 | $20.78 |
| Machinist | $58,750 | $28.24 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,110 | $19.29 |
| Baker | $37,160 | $17.86 |
More: Production Occupations
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers make in the U.S.?
The median salary for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers in the U.S. is $65,380 a year, or $31.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers in the U.S. earn at least $107,500 a year. The top 25% earn $83,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,310 a year, and a quarter of aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers earn $58,600 or less.
How many aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers work in the U.S.?
About 34,020 aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.