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Salary comparison

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

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers out-earn Animal Breeders by $14K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers land at $65,380 and Animal Breeders at $51,130. The education gap is real: aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while animal breeder programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers is Washington ($110,470); for Animal Breeders it's Ohio ($68,980).

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Animal Breeders
Median salary
$65,380
$51,130
Hourly rate
$31.43/hr
$24.58/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$47,310
$38,480
Senior level (90th %)
$107,500
$90,550
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
34,020
1,330
Job growth (10-year)
-14.5%
2.4%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Farming & Fishing
Top-paying state
Washington
Ohio

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
Animal Breeders
Texas
$76,640
$48,410
Nebraska
$64,530
$40,220
California
$63,640
$59,280
Alabama
$58,990
$53,200
New York
$49,620
$48,350

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

Common questions

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

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers earn more nationally. The median is $65,380 for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers versus $51,130 for Animal Breeders, a difference of $14K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Animal Breeders has the better 10-year outlook at 2.4% projected growth, compared to -14.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

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

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

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

Washington is the top-paying state for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers at $110,470/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Texas, Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers earn $76,640 vs. $48,410 for Animal Breeders. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

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