Career comparison
Aircraft Assembler vs. Sheet Metal Worker
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Aircraft assemblers earn more at the median ($65,380 vs. $61,800), while aircraft assemblers usually get to work faster (Several months of training of training). Aircraft assemblers build airplane structures, wings and systems to precise specifications. Sheet metal workers fabricate and install ductwork, roofing, siding and other products made from sheet metal.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Aircraft Assembler | Sheet Metal Worker | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $65,380 ($31.43/hr) | $61,800 ($29.71/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $47,310 – $107,500 | $38,630 – $105,650 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -5.6% (a projected decline) | +2.5% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 3,100 | 9,800 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Several months of training | 4–5 years (apprenticeship) |
| Key credential | Aerospace assembly certificate | Apprenticeship completion |
| Work setting | Assemblers work in large aerospace plants and hangars.. | Sheet metal workers split time between fabrication shops and construction sites. |
What each job does
Aircraft Assembler
- Read blueprints
- Drill and rivet
- Install fasteners
- Fit structures
- Route wiring and tubing
Sheet Metal Worker
- Read blueprints and shop drawings
- Lay out and cut sheet metal patterns
- Bend and form metal with brakes and rollers
- Join seams with lock seams, rivets, screws and welds
- Install ductwork, hangers and supports
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, teamwork, and indoor work. They sit in different fields, mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing and skilled trades & construction, but share transferable skills such as attention to detail and spatial reasoning.
Which should you choose?
Choose aircraft assembler if…
- I love airplanes
- I’m precise
- I follow instructions exactly
Choose sheet metal worker if…
- I’m good at visualizing 3D shapes
- I like working with metal and tools
- I enjoy math and measuring
Still torn? Take the Aircraft Assembler fit quiz and the Sheet Metal Worker fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, aircraft assembler or sheet metal worker?
Aircraft Assemblers earn more at the median: $65,380 versus $61,800 for sheet metal workers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Aircraft Assemblers typically train faster (Several months of training) than sheet metal workers (4–5 years (apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects sheet metal workers to grow +2.5% from 2025–35, compared with -5.6% for aircraft assemblers.