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Salary comparison

Acupuncturists vs. Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers: Who Earns More?

Acupuncturists out-earn Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers by $11K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Acupuncturists land at $76,040 and Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers at $65,380. The education gap is real: acupuncturist programs typically require master's degree, while aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Acupuncturists is Tennessee ($141,430); for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers it's Washington ($110,470).

Acupuncturists
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Median salary
$76,040
$65,380
Hourly rate
$36.56/hr
$31.43/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$38,830
$47,310
Senior level (90th %)
$161,470
$107,500
Education required
Master's degree
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
7,830
34,020
Job growth (10-year)
6.8%
-14.5%
Category
Healthcare
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Tennessee
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Acupuncturists median pay.

State
Acupuncturists
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Tennessee
$141,430
$66,390
Missouri
$89,000
$58,600
New York
$86,120
$49,620
Arizona
$85,300
$73,930
Washington
$83,200
$110,470
North Carolina
$76,500
$51,930
California
$75,530
$63,640
Georgia
$73,980
$72,550
Florida
$69,990
$64,580
Texas
$66,530
$76,640
Michigan
$65,490
$47,230
Oregon
$64,870
$58,050
Utah
$58,620
$51,130
Colorado
$56,950
$70,870

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Acupuncturists or Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers?

Acupuncturists earn more nationally. The median is $76,040 for Acupuncturists versus $65,380 for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers, a difference of $11K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Acupuncturists or Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers?

Acupuncturists has the better 10-year outlook at 6.8% projected growth, compared to -14.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Acupuncturists or Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers?

Acupuncturists typically requires master's degree. Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Acupuncturists get paid the most?

Tennessee is the top-paying state for Acupuncturists at $141,430/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Acupuncturists vs. Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Tennessee, Acupuncturists earn $141,430 vs. $66,390 for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Acupuncturists salary breakdownView →Full Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Acupuncturists by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers by take-home payExplore →How to become a acupuncturistsGuide →How to become a aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblersGuide →