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Salary comparison

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

Aerospace Engineerss out-earn Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss by $73K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Aerospace Engineerss land at $134,830 and Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss at $61,680. The education gap is real: aerospace engineer 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 Engineerss is District of Columbia ($175,350); for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss it's Washington ($93,550).

Aerospace Engineers
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Median salary
$134,830
$61,680
Hourly rate
$64.82/hr
$29.65/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$85,350
$46,040
Senior level (90th %)
$205,850
$94,950
Education required
Bachelor's degree
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
68,440
32,890
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Engineering
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
Washington

Pay by state

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

State
Aerospace Engineers
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Washington
$158,600
$93,550
California
$143,860
$56,160
Georgia
$142,910
$65,580
Arizona
$135,620
$66,930
Ohio
$134,230
$55,540
Alabama
$133,080
$62,010
Utah
$130,670
$59,810
Florida
$127,680
$62,770
Kansas
$126,640
$57,970
Texas
$126,470
$81,130
Tennessee
$122,430
$59,070
Connecticut
$119,060
$82,280
Oregon
$112,460
$55,150
Missouri
$112,220
$64,360
Pennsylvania
$108,510
$78,570

Source: BLS OEWS May 2024. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Aerospace Engineerss or Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss?

Aerospace Engineerss earn more nationally. The median is $134,830 for Aerospace Engineerss versus $61,680 for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss, a difference of $73K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

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

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

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

Aerospace Engineers 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 Engineerss get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Aerospace Engineerss at $175,350/year, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Aerospace Engineerss earn $158,600 vs. $93,550 for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aerospace Engineers salary breakdownView →Full Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aerospace Engineerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a aerospace engineersGuide →How to become a aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblersGuide →