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Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers by $9K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers land at $65,380 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers is Washington ($110,470); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$65,380
$74,450
Hourly rate
$31.43/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$47,310
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$107,500
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
34,020
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
-14.5%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Washington
Wyoming

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
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Washington
$110,470
$79,310
Pennsylvania
$81,680
$74,990
Connecticut
$78,630
$83,150
Arizona
$73,930
$75,330
Colorado
$70,870
$78,890
Nebraska
$64,530
$72,200
California
$63,640
$76,840
Kansas
$59,850
$74,480
Alabama
$58,990
$73,060
Missouri
$58,600
$73,210
Oregon
$58,050
$73,580
Utah
$51,130
$71,220
Idaho
$50,100
$70,890
New York
$49,620
$78,580
Michigan
$47,230
$72,170

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 First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $65,380 for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $9K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.2% 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 First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. 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. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers earn $110,470 vs. $79,310 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →