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Salary comparison

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers vs. Airfield Operations Specialists: Who Earns More?

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss out-earn Airfield Operations Specialistss by $5K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss land at $61,680 and Airfield Operations Specialistss at $56,750. The education gap is real: aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while airfield operations specialist programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss is Washington ($93,550); for Airfield Operations Specialistss it's Washington ($82,540).

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Airfield Operations Specialists
Median salary
$61,680
$56,750
Hourly rate
$29.65/hr
$27.28/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$46,040
$35,200
Senior level (90th %)
$94,950
$111,030
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
32,890
16,640
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Transportation
Top-paying state
Washington
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers median pay.

State
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Airfield Operations Specialists
Washington
$93,550
$82,540
Texas
$81,130
$77,460
Pennsylvania
$78,570
$59,480
Arizona
$66,930
$80,260
Florida
$62,770
$62,600
Alabama
$62,010
$78,270
Utah
$59,810
$61,400
California
$56,160
$61,100
Ohio
$55,540
$56,750
Oregon
$55,150
$75,710
Michigan
$55,070
$60,990
Idaho
$51,210
$50,050
Mississippi
$49,710
$48,570
Oklahoma
$45,840
$74,290
Arkansas
$40,690
$58,280

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss or Airfield Operations Specialistss?

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss earn more nationally. The median is $61,680 for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss versus $56,750 for Airfield Operations Specialistss, a difference of $5K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

Which has better job growth, Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers or Airfield Operations Specialists?

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, Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers or Airfield Operations Specialists?

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Airfield Operations Specialists requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss at $93,550/year, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss earn $93,550 vs. $82,540 for Airfield Operations Specialistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salary breakdownView →Full Airfield Operations Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Airfield Operations Specialistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblersGuide →How to become a airfield operations specialistsGuide →