Aircraft Mechanic
Inspect, maintain and repair airplanes and helicopters to FAA standards.
- $79,870
- 18–30 months
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Aircraft Assembler
Also called: Aircraft Structures Assembler · Airframe Assembler · Aerospace Assembler · Rigging Assembler
What aircraft assemblers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an aircraft assembler do?
Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging and systems assemblers assemble, fit, fasten and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles or missiles. The median pay is $65,380 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Several months of training, and employment is projected to grow -5.6% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$65,380$31.43/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-5.6%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year3,100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainSeveral months of trainingTypical program length
- U.S. jobs34,400Employment, 2025
What aircraft assemblers do
Aircraft assemblers build aircraft. They read blueprints, drill and rivet skin panels, install fasteners, fit wing and fuselage sections, route wiring and tubing, and inspect work to strict aerospace quality standards.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; aerospace assembly certificates help. BLS projects a decline, though major manufacturers hire steadily.
Typical duties
- Read blueprints
- Drill and rivet
- Install fasteners
- Fit structures
- Route wiring and tubing
- Apply sealant
- Inspect work
Work environment and schedule
Assemblers work in large aerospace plants and hangars.
Schedule: Full time, often shifts and overtime.
A day in the life
- Review the work package.
- Drill holes with a template.
- Install rivets on a wing panel.
- Apply sealant.
See a full day in the life of an aircraft assembler →
Aircraft Assembler salary
Half of aircraft assemblers earned more than $65,380 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $47,310 for the lowest 10% to $107,500 for the top 10%.
Full aircraft assembler pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an aircraft assembler
- Finish high school
- Take an aerospace assembly course
- Get hired
- Complete company training
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; aerospace assembly certificates help.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an aircraft assembler →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Blueprint reading
- Drilling and riveting
- Fastener installation
- Sealant application
- Measurement
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Patience
- Teamwork
- Integrity
All aircraft assembler skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Build aircraft
- Good pay for no degree
- Union jobs common
- Precision craft
Cons
- Declining employment
- Strict quality rules
- Repetitive motion
- Shift work
Certifications and licenses
- Aerospace assembly certificate: Community college.
- FOD awareness training: Required.
- Sealant certification: Employer.
- Blueprint reading course: Helpful.
Career path
- Assembler: Entry.
- Senior Assembler: Complex work.
- Lead: Lead teams.
- Quality Inspector or Supervisor: Advance.
Learn the job before day one
Our Aircraft Assembler training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as drill and rivet an aircraft panel and prevent foreign object debris, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Aircraft Assembler vs. Aircraft Mechanic · Aircraft Assembler vs. Production Assembler · Aircraft Assembler vs. Sheet Metal Worker · Aircraft Assembler vs. QC Inspector
Aircraft Assembler FAQ
Do aircraft assemblers need a degree?
No.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects decline, though large plants hire steadily.
Is training provided?
Yes, employers provide extensive training.
How much does an aircraft assembler make?
The median annual wage for aircraft assemblers was $65,380 ($31.43 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $47,310 and the highest 10% earned more than $107,500.
How long does it take to become an aircraft assembler?
Most people need about Several months of training of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; aerospace assembly certificates help.
Do you need a degree to be an aircraft assembler?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More aircraft assembler questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-2011 (Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.