Skip to content
AffordMap
Salary comparison

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

Aerospace Engineers out-earn Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers by $70K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aerospace Engineers land at $134,960 and Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers at $65,380. 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 Engineers is Minnesota ($159,060); for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers it's Washington ($110,470).

Aerospace Engineers
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Median salary
$134,960
$65,380
Hourly rate
$64.89/hr
$31.43/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$86,700
$47,310
Senior level (90th %)
$205,890
$107,500
Education required
Bachelor's degree
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
67,710
34,020
Job growth (10-year)
6.1%
-14.5%
Category
Engineering
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Minnesota
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
$158,370
$110,470
California
$157,620
$63,640
Colorado
$156,190
$70,870
Georgia
$140,460
$72,550
Nebraska
$135,670
$64,530
Pennsylvania
$133,940
$81,680
Missouri
$130,680
$58,600
Kansas
$130,330
$59,850
Texas
$130,270
$76,640
Connecticut
$129,500
$78,630
Florida
$129,280
$64,580
Tennessee
$128,510
$66,390
Alabama
$127,540
$58,990
Oregon
$124,630
$58,050
Arizona
$123,170
$73,930

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

Common questions

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

Aerospace Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $134,960 for Aerospace Engineers versus $65,380 for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers, a difference of $70K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Aerospace Engineers has the better 10-year outlook at 6.1% projected growth, compared to -14.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

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 Engineers get paid the most?

Minnesota is the top-paying state for Aerospace Engineers at $159,060/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. 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 Engineers earn $158,370 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 Engineers salary breakdownView →Full Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aerospace Engineers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers by take-home payExplore →How to become a aerospace engineersGuide →How to become a aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblersGuide →