Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers
Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.
Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems. The role reports a median annual salary of $61,680 in the US and is projected to decline by 14% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.44 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Quality Control Analysis, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £31,919 a year for Assemblers (vehicles and metal goods) (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £26,562 to £40,274 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8142). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Plant and machine operators and assemblers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 8. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Design
- Computers and Electronics
- Public Safety and Security
What you'd actually do
- Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or clamps.
- Read blueprints, illustrations, or specifications to determine layouts, sequences of operations, or identities or relationships of parts.
- Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or welding.
- Inspect or test installed units, parts, systems, or assemblies for fit, alignment, performance, defects, or compliance with standards, using measuring instruments or test equipment.
- Adjust, repair, rework, or replace parts or assemblies to ensure proper operation.
- Cut, trim, file, bend, or smooth parts to ensure proper fit and clearance.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers do?
Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.
How much does Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers earn?
The median annual salary for Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers in the US is $61,680.
What is the job outlook for Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers?
The role is projected to decline by 14% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 33,600 workers.
How do I become aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Quality Control Analysis, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Equipment Maintenance. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers?
Our AI-durability model gives Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers a score of 0.44 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.