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Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians vs. Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers: Who Earns More?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians out-earn Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers by $18K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians land at $82,890 and Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers at $65,380. The education gap is real: aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians is Washington ($125,160); for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers it's Washington ($110,470).

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Median salary
$82,890
$65,380
Hourly rate
$39.85/hr
$31.43/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$59,050
$47,310
Senior level (90th %)
$125,160
$107,500
Education required
Bachelor's degree
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
11,280
34,020
Job growth (10-year)
8.1%
-14.5%
Category
Engineering
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Washington
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians median pay.

State
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Washington
$125,160
$110,470
California
$99,000
$63,640
Colorado
$98,990
$70,870
Oregon
$81,100
$58,050
Connecticut
$79,410
$78,630
Florida
$78,560
$64,580
Texas
$78,350
$76,640
Kansas
$78,350
$59,850
Utah
$76,680
$51,130
Arizona
$75,230
$73,930
Michigan
$69,840
$47,230
New York
$64,480
$49,620
Alabama
$62,130
$58,990
Pennsylvania
$60,770
$81,680
Oklahoma
$45,590
$49,070

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians earn more nationally. The median is $82,890 for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians versus $65,380 for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers, a difference of $18K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians has the better 10-year outlook at 8.1% projected growth, compared to -14.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians or Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers?

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians typically requires bachelor'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 Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians at $125,160/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians vs. Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians earn $125,160 vs. $110,470 for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers by take-home payExplore →How to become a aerospace engineering and operations technologists and techniciansGuide →How to become a aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblersGuide →