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Salary comparison

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

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss out-earn Animal Caretakerss by $28K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2024. Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss land at $61,680 and Animal Caretakerss at $33,470. The education gap is real: aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while animal caretaker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss is Washington ($93,550); for Animal Caretakerss it's Washington ($38,400).

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Animal Caretakers
Median salary
$61,680
$33,470
Hourly rate
$29.65/hr
$16.09/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$46,040
$24,500
Senior level (90th %)
$94,950
$46,480
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
32,890
277,300
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Personal Care
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
Animal Caretakers
Washington
$93,550
$38,400
Connecticut
$82,280
$36,330
Texas
$81,130
$29,810
Pennsylvania
$78,570
$30,260
Arizona
$66,930
$35,170
Florida
$62,770
$30,380
Utah
$59,810
$31,550
Tennessee
$59,070
$29,800
California
$56,160
$37,200
Ohio
$55,540
$29,700
Oregon
$55,150
$35,310
Michigan
$55,070
$29,730
Virginia
$52,420
$30,830
Idaho
$51,210
$29,910
New York
$48,010
$36,500

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 Animal Caretakerss?

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss earn more nationally. The median is $61,680 for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss versus $33,470 for Animal Caretakerss, a difference of $28K. Per BLS OEWS May 2024.

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

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 Animal Caretakers?

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Animal Caretakers requires high school diploma or equivalent. 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. Animal Caretakers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblerss earn $93,550 vs. $38,400 for Animal Caretakerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

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