Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salary in California
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers in California earn a median of $63,640 a year ($30.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,280 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $65,380. California ranks 11th of 22 states for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers pay. There are 0.16 aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $69,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,120 | $23.14 |
| 25th percentile | $60,130 | $28.91 |
| Median | $63,640 | $30.60 |
| 75th percentile | $78,380 | $37.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,280 | $45.33 |
| Average (mean) | $69,050 | $33.20 |
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 | $5,303.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,651.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,447.69 |
| Weekly | $1,223.85 |
| Hourly | $30.60 |
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 in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $97,340 | 90 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $65,000 | 1,570 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $64,480 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $60,610 | 630 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $50,190 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $110,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,680 |
| Connecticut | $78,630 |
| Texas | $76,640 |
| Arizona | $73,930 |
| Georgia | $72,550 |
| Colorado | $70,870 |
| Tennessee | $66,390 |
| Florida | $64,580 |
| Nebraska | $64,530 |
See Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $48,080 | $23.12 |
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | $57,590 | $27.69 |
| Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | $46,810 | $22.51 |
| Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $42,330 | $20.35 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Baker | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,060 | $27.91 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $56,510 | $27.17 |
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 California?
The median salary for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers in California is $63,640 a year, or $30.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers make in California?
The top 10% of aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers in California earn at least $94,280 a year. The top 25% earn $78,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,120 a year, and a quarter of aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers earn $60,130 or less.
How many aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers work in California?
About 2,930 aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.