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.

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.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Overall preparation: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

The feel of the work

Much of the day is spent working solo. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0.7% of aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are hands-on and organized and detail-focused.

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Quick questions

How much does a aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler make?

The median pay is $31.43 per hour — roughly $65,500 a year, with the real range running from about $22.74/hr (10th percentile) to $51.68/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler?

The typical entry-level education is: High school diploma. Overall preparation level: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

What does a aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler actually do all day?

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.