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Machinists vs Aircraft Structure Assemblers

Median pay is about $7k higher for Aircraft Structure Assemblers. The usual entry education is high school plus training for Machinists and high school for Aircraft Structure Assemblers.

marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.

Machinists compared with Aircraft Structure Assemblers: pay, outlook, entry and AI exposure
MeasureMachinistsAircraft Structure Assemblers
Pay
Median pay$58,750$65,380, higher
Entry pay 25th percentile$47,570$58,600, higher
Experienced pay 75th percentile$67,700$83,410, higher
Outlook, 2025 to 2035
Projected growth+1.0% Growing, higher-5.6% Declining
Openings a year26,1003,100
Getting in
Typical educationHigh school plus trainingHigh school
Difficulty modeled2 / 51.8 / 5
AI
Displacement risk modeledModerateModerate
AI exposure modeled, percentile31st pct21st pct

Where the skills differ

Only Machinists

  • Mathematics

Only Aircraft Structure Assemblers

  • Active Learning

Both lean on critical thinking, monitoring, active listening, speaking, reading comprehension.

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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.