Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers build and install the components that keep planes safe and functional. The work is hands-on, in demand, and you can start with a high school diploma. Here is what the job involves, what skills matter most, and how to get in.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
You assemble and install structural components, surfaces, and systems on aircraft. Your day involves controlling machinery and equipment, monitoring processes and materials, inspecting structures for quality and safety, and documenting your work carefully. You handle and move parts, sometimes heavy or precision-fitted pieces. You read technical drawings and specifications, work with mathematics to ensure accuracy, and communicate with team members about progress and problems. Attention to detail is critical because aircraft safety depends on your work.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers earn a median of $65,380 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 15 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 2,800 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Start with a high school diploma or equivalent. Most employers provide on-the-job training where you learn assembly techniques, safety protocols, and aircraft systems under supervision. You will develop skills in active listening, monitoring, critical thinking, and reading technical information. Some positions may require additional training or certifications specific to aircraft assembly, depending on the employer and role. Look for entry-level positions at aircraft manufacturing facilities or maintenance centers to begin your career.
Most people enter this field directly from high school into employer-sponsored training. If you are deciding between different entry paths or want to map out your first steps, Pathly can map the aircraft structure, surface, rigging, and systems assembler path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to find the right fit for your situation.
You do not need a license to work as an aircraft structure, surface, rigging, and systems assembler, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You like hands-on work and solving practical problems. You are detail-oriented, follow instructions carefully, and take pride in building things that work well and last.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).