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Aerospace Manufacturing
Boeing, Airbus, Spirit AeroSystems
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
These assemblers build and fit aircraft structures, surfaces, rigging, and related systems by following blueprints, measuring parts, and correcting tiny misfits before anything leaves the line. The work is distinct because a small mistake can affect safety and performance, so the job is as much about inspection and rework as it is about putting parts together; the tradeoff is solid hands-on work with decent pay, but a shrinking job market and very strict quality standards.
Also known as Aircraft AssemblerAerospace AssemblerAircraft Structures AssemblerAircraft Assembly TechnicianAviation Assembler
Median Salary
$61,680
Mean $66,510
U.S. Workforce
~33K
2.8K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-14.5%
33.6K to 28.7K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~33K workers, with a median annual pay of $61,680 and roughly 2.8K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 33.6 K in 2024 to 28.7K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Production Helper and can progress toward Quality or Production Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Quality Control Analysis, Precision Measuring Tools, Calipers & Gauges, and Monitoring & Inspection Procedures, paired with soft skills such as Attention to detail, Active listening, and Critical thinking.
Core Responsibilities
- Trim, file, bend, and smooth parts so they fit together with the right clearance.
- Build aircraft sections and subassemblies with hand tools, power tools, rivets, bolts, screws, and clamps.
- Read blueprints, drawings, and work instructions to figure out how parts go together and in what order.
- Check assembled parts with gauges, measuring tools, and test equipment to catch gaps, misalignment, or defects.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Trim, file, bend, and smooth parts so they fit together with the right clearance.
02 Build aircraft sections and subassemblies with hand tools, power tools, rivets, bolts, screws, and clamps.
03 Read blueprints, drawings, and work instructions to figure out how parts go together and in what order.
04 Check assembled parts with gauges, measuring tools, and test equipment to catch gaps, misalignment, or defects.
05 Fix problems by adjusting, repairing, replacing, or reworking parts before final assembly.
06 Clean, oil, coat, and secure components, then keep track of what was inspected, repaired, or completed.
Industries That Hire
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Defense and Military Aircraft
Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics
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Business Jets and General Aviation
Gulfstream Aerospace, Textron Aviation, Bombardier
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Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul
Delta TechOps, Lufthansa Technik, AAR Corp
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Space and Advanced Aerospace
SpaceX, Blue Origin, Sierra Space
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can enter the field with a high school diploma and no prior experience, and the standard training period is moderate rather than years long.
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Pay is solid for a trade role, with a median annual wage of $61.68K and a mean of $66.51K.
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The work is hands-on and tangible: you can see the aircraft section or system you helped build at the end of the shift.
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There are still about 2.8K annual openings, so people do continue to get hired even as the occupation shrinks overall.
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The job teaches precision measurement, quality checks, and rework skills that can transfer to inspection, lead, or quality-control roles.
Challenges
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The long-term outlook is weak: employment is projected to fall 14.5% by 2034, from 33.6K jobs to 28.7K.
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A lot of openings are likely to replace workers who leave rather than create new growth, which makes the field less stable than it looks at first glance.
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Remote work is rare because the job depends on physical aircraft parts, tools, fixtures, and inspection equipment.
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The work can be repetitive and unforgiving, since a tiny defect can mean rework, delays, or a failed inspection.
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Career growth can be narrow unless you move into quality, inspection, or supervision, and the job is also exposed to automation, outsourcing, and aircraft production swings.
Career Progression
Production Helper
0-2 years
$32K-$44K
Learns shop safety, basic tools, part handling, and how to follow instructions before taking on more precise aircraft work.
Aircraft Assembler
2-5 years
$50K-$69K
Builds sections, fits parts, checks measurements, and handles routine rework and inspection tasks on the line.
Senior Aircraft Structure Assembler THIS ROLE
5-8 years
$70K-$84K
Takes on more complex assemblies, solves fit problems, and helps newer workers avoid costly mistakes.
Lead Assembler
8-12 years
$85K-$98K
Coordinates small teams, reviews finished work, and keeps production moving while still doing hands-on technical work.
Quality or Production Supervisor
12+ years
$99K-$118K
Oversees schedules, quality checks, and staffing, with less direct assembly work and more responsibility for results.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The most common entry point, held by 54.84% of workers in this role.
Post-secondary certificate in aviation maintenance or sheet metal work
A smaller share, 15.66%, come in with a post-secondary certificate that can speed up entry into aircraft assembly or repair.
Associate degree in aviation maintenance or manufacturing technology
About 9.98% have an associate's degree, often from a two-year technical program focused on aircraft or production work.
Military training or apprenticeship
A practical alternative is military aircraft maintenance training or an apprenticeship, which can teach the same precision and inspection habits without a college degree.
Key Skills
Technical
Quality Control Analysis 84%
Precision Measuring Tools, Calipers & Gauges 80%
Monitoring & Inspection Procedures 79%
Blueprint Reading & Aircraft Specifications 78%
Hand Tools, Rivet Guns & Power Tools 76%
Equipment Maintenance & Lubrication 75%
Assembly Fixtures, Jigs & Fasteners 74%
FAA Quality Standards & Nonconformance Reporting 72%
Soft Skills
Attention to detailActive listeningCritical thinkingTeamworkJudgment and decision makingReading comprehension Job Outlook and Trends
+-14.5%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
2.8K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 33.6K to 28.7 K over the next decade, representing -14.5% growth. Around 2.8 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.