Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers Salary: How Much Do They Make? (2026)

Median pay, hourly rates, salary ranges, and best-paying states for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers — from official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Official BLS wage data · Unknown vintage
Median Salary
$65,380
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$31.43
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$107,500
entry level starts ~$47,310
Pay Grade
B
solid pay · 34,000 employed

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

The median pay for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers in the United States is $65,380 per year — about $31.43 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $47,310, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $107,500.

That is $3,990 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salary range by percentile

Half of all Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers earn between $58,600 and $83,410 a year.

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,310$22.75
25th percentile (early career)$58,600$28.17
50th percentile (median)$65,380$31.43
75th percentile (experienced)$83,410$40.10
90th percentile (top earners)$107,500$51.68

Highest-paying states for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Washington leads the country for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers pay at $110,470 a year, followed by Pennsylvania ($81,680) and Connecticut ($78,630). At the other end, Arkansas posts the lowest median at $46,290 — a gap of $64,180 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.

#StateMedian salaryHourlyvs national
1Washington$110,470$53.11+69%
2Pennsylvania$81,680$39.27+25%
3Connecticut$78,630$37.80+20%
4Texas$76,640$36.85+17%
5Arizona$73,930$35.54+13%

Workforce and education

About 34,000 people work as Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $71,420 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers make in the United States?
The median Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salary in the United States is $65,380 per year, or about $31.43 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $47,310, while the top 10% of earners make $107,500 or more.
How does Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of B (solid pay), the Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers median of $65,380 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers the most?
Washington is the highest-paying state for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers, with a median salary of $110,470 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers need?
For most positions, a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers work in the United States?
About 34,000 people were employed as Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.

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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.