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Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)	Projected Growth (2024-2034)
National Statistics	$61680	2800	-14.5%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$61680

Median Wage (USD, 2024)

2800

Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)

-14.5%

Projected Growth (2024-2034)

Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Up to and including 1 month

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Detailed Work Activities

Assemble metal or plastic parts or products.
Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
Assemble electrical or electronic equipment.
Install mechanical components in production equipment.
Assemble metal structures.
Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
Inspect installed components or assemblies.
Clean workpieces or finished products.
Apply lubricants or coolants to workpieces.
Adjust vehicle components according to specifications.
Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
Operate cutting equipment.
Solder parts or workpieces.
Operate welding equipment.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
Sort recyclable materials.
Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
Repair parts or assemblies.
Replace worn equipment components.
Reshape metal workpieces to established specifications.
Trim excess material from workpieces.
Signal others to coordinate work activities.
Connect supply lines to production equipment or tools.
Assemble electromechanical or hydraulic systems.
Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or clamps.
Read blueprints, illustrations, or specifications to determine layouts, sequences of operations, or identities or relationships of parts.
Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or welding.
Inspect or test installed units, parts, systems, or assemblies for fit, alignment, performance, defects, or compliance with standards, using measuring instruments or test equipment.
Adjust, repair, rework, or replace parts or assemblies to ensure proper operation.
Cut, trim, file, bend, or smooth parts to ensure proper fit and clearance.
Fabricate parts needed for assembly or installation, using shop machinery or equipment.
Layout and mark reference points and locations for installation of parts or components, using jigs, templates, or measuring and marking instruments.
Clean, oil, or coat system components, as necessary, before assembly or attachment.
Assemble prefabricated parts to form subassemblies.
Set, align, adjust, or synchronize aircraft armament or rigging or control system components to established tolerances or requirements, using sighting devices and hand tools.
Join structural assemblies, such as wings, tails, or fuselage.
Position and align subassemblies in jigs or fixtures, using measuring instruments and following blueprint lines and index points.
Assemble prototypes or integrated-technology demonstrators of new or emerging environmental technologies for aircraft.
Manually install structural assemblies or signal crane operators to position assemblies for joining.
Align, fit, assemble, connect, or install system components, using jigs, fixtures, measuring instruments, hand tools, or power tools.
Set up or operate machines or systems to crimp, cut, bend, form, swage, flare, bead, burr, or straighten tubing, according to specifications.
Place and connect control cables to electronically controlled units, using hand tools, ring locks, cotter keys, threaded connectors, turnbuckles, or related devices.
Install mechanical linkages and actuators, using tensiometers to verify tension of cables.
Clean aircraft structures, parts, or components, using aqueous, semi-aqueous, aliphatic hydrocarbon, or organic solvent cleaning products or techniques to reduce carbon or other harmful emissions.
Install accessories in swaging machines, using hand tools.
Mark identifying information on tubing or cable assemblies, using etching devices, labels, rubber stamps, or other methods.
Verify dimensions of cable assemblies or positions of fittings, using measuring instruments.
Weld tubing and fittings or solder cable ends, using tack welders, induction brazing chambers, or other equipment.
Fit and fasten sheet metal coverings to surface areas or other sections of aircraft prior to welding or riveting.
Capture or segregate waste material, such as aluminum swarf, machine cutting fluid, or solvents, for recycling or environmentally responsible disposal.
Cut cables and tubing, using master templates, measuring instruments, and cable cutters or saws.

Work Styles

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Innovation

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Initiative

Adaptability

Self-Confidence

Perseverance

Leadership Orientation

Humility

Sincerity

Empathy

Cooperation

Optimism

Social Orientation

Cautiousness

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Integrity

Stress Tolerance

Self-Control

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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