Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers vs Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
Side-by-side · O*NET · BLS · AI-exposure research · Anthropic Economic Index
A factual, source-backed comparison of Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers and Engine and Other Machine Assemblers on the dimensions both occupations carry. Every figure is a position within an independent published dataset — not a verdict on which job is better, safer, or more “future-proof.”
At a glance
| Dimension | Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $61,680 | $52,540 |
| Employment | 32,890 | 38,420 |
| Employment outlook (2024–34) · BLS projection | Declining (-14.5%) | Declining (-21.1%) |
| Annual openings · BLS projection | 2,800 | 2,800 |
| Typical education · O*NET | Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. | Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. |
| AI exposure · published exposure studies | Low · 12th pct | Moderate · 37th pct |
| Global GenAI gradient · ILO ISCO-08 · via crosswalk | 49th pct · 27% of tasks | 49th pct · 27% of tasks |
| Observed AI use · Anthropic Economic Index | — | — |
| Mostly remote-capable · Dingel–Neiman | No | No |
Pay and employment are BLS OEWS estimates; outlook and openings are BLS 2024–2034 projections; AI exposure and observed-use figures come from separate research and reflect exposure and usage, not predictions that either job will disappear. Compare like with like.
Skills
Shared: Problem Sensitivity, Near Vision, Finger Dexterity, Mathematics, Mechanical, Production and Processing, Quality Control Analysis, Information Ordering, Visualization, Manual Dexterity, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Oral Comprehension, Written Comprehension, Deductive Reasoning, Arm-Hand Steadiness, Control Precision, Extent Flexibility, Speech Recognition, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Complex Problem Solving, Equipment Maintenance, Public Safety and Security, Inductive Reasoning, Category Flexibility, Perceptual Speed, Selective Attention, Multilimb Coordination, Speech Clarity, Engineering and Technology.
Specific to Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Design
- Computers and Electronics
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Time Management
- Oral Expression
- Auditory Attention
Specific to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
- Operations Monitoring
- Customer and Personal Service
- Static Strength
- Flexibility of Closure
- Trunk Strength
- Social Perceptiveness
- Operation and Control
- Troubleshooting
Knowledge, skills & abilities O*NET rates as important for each occupation. “Shared” are common to both; the columns list what is distinctive to each (top by the order O*NET surfaces).
Tools & technology
Shared: Spreadsheet software , Office suite software , Word processing software , Enterprise resource planning ERP software .
Specific to Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Specific to Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
Full profiles
This page is a summary. See the complete source-backed profile for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers or Engine and Other Machine Assemblers — tasks, the full skill graph, tools, work context, preparation, wages by percentile, industries, AI exposure and the AI work map.
More comparisons
Related occupations you can place side by side on the same sourced scale.
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers vs Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers vs Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers vs Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers vs Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers vs Avionics Technicians
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers vs Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers vs Sheet Metal Workers
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers vs Millwrights
Sources for this page
Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.
- O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27) Anthropic
- Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai Microsoft Research
- “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic
- AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans academic
- ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025 International Labour Organization
- IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022 Institute for Structural Research (IBS)
- Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation academic
- Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome academic
Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.
Cite this page
Singulariki. "Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers vs Engine and Other Machine Assemblers." Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Built from O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://singulariki.com/compare/aircraft-structure-surfaces-rigging-and-systems-assemblers-vs-engine-and-other-machine-assemblers
Singulariki. (2026). Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers vs Engine and Other Machine Assemblers. Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://singulariki.com/compare/aircraft-structure-surfaces-rigging-and-systems-assemblers-vs-engine-and-other-machine-assemblers
@misc{singulariki-aircraft-structure-surfaces-rigging-and-systems-assemblers-vs-engine-and-other-machine-assemblers,
title = {Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers vs Engine and Other Machine Assemblers},
author = {{Singulariki}},
year = {2026},
note = {O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026},
url = {https://singulariki.com/compare/aircraft-structure-surfaces-rigging-and-systems-assemblers-vs-engine-and-other-machine-assemblers}
} Citations name the underlying public dataset releases — they reflect what this page is built from, not just the URL.