Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$63,640
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.60
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $65,380
State Rank
#11 of 22
2,930 employed here

How much do Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers make in California?

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers working in California earn a median salary of $63,640 per year, or about $30.60 per hour. That is 3% below the national median of $65,380 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $48,120 while the top 10% make $94,280 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,130 and $78,380 a year.

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,120$23.13
25th percentile (early career)$60,130$28.91
50th percentile (median)$63,640$30.60
75th percentile (experienced)$78,380$37.68
90th percentile (top earners)$94,280$45.33

How California compares

California ranks 11th out of 22 states and territories for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$110,470
2Pennsylvania$81,680
3Connecticut$78,630
4Texas$76,640
5Arizona$73,930

Working as Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers in California

Nationally, about 34,000 people work as Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($63,640) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers make in California?
The median Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salary in California is $63,640 per year, or about $30.60 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,120 at the entry level to $94,280 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers about 3% less than the national median of $65,380. California ranks 11th out of 22 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $63,640 a year. About 2,930 Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers are employed in California. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.