AI exposure by occupation, O*NET 51-2011.00

Will AI replace Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers?

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers: AI can already handle 3 of 27 tasks; most of the work is hands-on, and the part AI can address mostly needs an efficient-tier model.

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Every task, scored

The 27 tasks O*NET 30.3 lists for Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers, from most to least exposed. 3 reach 60 or more, the level at which AI already handles a task.

Task AI exposure Evidence Model tier Importance
Mark identifying information on tubing or cable assemblies, using etching devices, labels, rubber stamps, or other methods. 90 Estimated Standard 4.0
Install mechanical linkages and actuators, using tensiometers to verify tension of cables. 80 Estimated Efficient 4.0
Verify dimensions of cable assemblies or positions of fittings, using measuring instruments. 80 Estimated Standard 3.9
Inspect or test installed units, parts, systems, or assemblies for fit, alignment, performance, defects, or compliance with standards, using measuring instruments or test equipment. 20 Estimated Efficient 4.3
Adjust, repair, rework, or replace parts or assemblies to ensure proper operation. 20 Estimated Efficient 4.3
Layout and mark reference points and locations for installation of parts or components, using jigs, templates, or measuring and marking instruments. 20 Estimated Efficient 4.3
Fabricate parts needed for assembly or installation, using shop machinery or equipment. 20 Estimated Efficient 4.3
Manually install structural assemblies or signal crane operators to position assemblies for joining. 20 Estimated Efficient 4.2
Align, fit, assemble, connect, or install system components, using jigs, fixtures, measuring instruments, hand tools, or power tools. 20 Estimated Efficient 4.2
Install accessories in swaging machines, using hand tools. 20 Estimated Efficient 4.0
Assemble parts, fittings, or subassemblies on aircraft, using layout tools, hand tools, power tools, or fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or clamps. 15 Estimated No tier 4.4
Set, align, adjust, or synchronize aircraft armament or rigging or control system components to established tolerances or requirements, using sighting devices and hand tools. 15 Estimated No tier 4.4
Read blueprints, illustrations, or specifications to determine layouts, sequences of operations, or identities or relationships of parts. 15 Estimated No tier 4.4
Attach brackets, hinges, or clips to secure or support components or subassemblies, using bolts, screws, rivets, chemical bonding, or welding. 15 Estimated No tier 4.4
Join structural assemblies, such as wings, tails, or fuselage. 15 Estimated No tier 4.4
Position and align subassemblies in jigs or fixtures, using measuring instruments and following blueprint lines and index points. 15 Estimated No tier 4.3
Cut, trim, file, bend, or smooth parts to ensure proper fit and clearance. 15 Estimated No tier 4.3
Assemble prototypes or integrated-technology demonstrators of new or emerging environmental technologies for aircraft. 15 Estimated No tier 4.2
Clean, oil, or coat system components, as necessary, before assembly or attachment. 15 Estimated No tier 4.1
Assemble prefabricated parts to form subassemblies. 15 Estimated No tier 4.1
Set up or operate machines or systems to crimp, cut, bend, form, swage, flare, bead, burr, or straighten tubing, according to specifications. 15 Estimated No tier 4.1
Place and connect control cables to electronically controlled units, using hand tools, ring locks, cotter keys, threaded connectors, turnbuckles, or related devices. 15 Estimated No tier 4.1
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. 15 Estimated No tier 4.0
Weld tubing and fittings or solder cable ends, using tack welders, induction brazing chambers, or other equipment. 15 Estimated No tier 3.8
Fit and fasten sheet metal coverings to surface areas or other sections of aircraft prior to welding or riveting. 15 Estimated No tier 3.7
Capture or segregate waste material, such as aluminum swarf, machine cutting fluid, or solvents, for recycling or environmentally responsible disposal. 15 Estimated No tier 3.7
Cut cables and tubing, using master templates, measuring instruments, and cable cutters or saws. 15 Estimated No tier 3.6

Observed: scored from AI use recorded in the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026 release), 0 of 27 tasks. Estimated: scored from the task's O*NET 30.3 work activity, 27 of 27. Importance is O*NET's 1 to 5 rating of how central the task is. Model tier is the lowest tier that can do the task under the published rubric; "No tier" marks hands-on work.

The model tier this role needs

An efficient-tier model or lower covers 30% of the role's importance-weighted task work. 37% of the work is something AI can address at some tier, and 63% is hands-on.

Efficient, standard and frontier tiers come from the JobRoute model tier reference. The recommended tier is the lowest one that covers 80% of the work AI can address. How the method works.

Wages, employment and outlook

US employment
34,020
Median annual wage
$65,380
Middle half of earners
$58,600 to $83,410
Projected change, 2024 to 2034
-14.5%

Employment and wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, national. Projection: BLS Employment Projections 2024 to 2034.

Adjacent roles

The occupations that reuse the most of this role's skills, with the usual time to move. These are the first places to look when you plan to redeploy or retrain people in this role.

Skill overlap and transition time from the JobRoute role adjacency graph on O*NET 30.3 skills.

Questions about Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers and AI

Will AI replace Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers?

AI already handles 3 of the 27 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, at a task exposure of 60 or more, and the role's importance-weighted exposure is 24 out of 100. JobRoute scores tasks, not whole jobs, so the score shows how much of the work changes rather than whether the job disappears. BLS projects employment to change by -14.5% from 2024 to 2034.

What is the AI exposure of Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers?

24 out of 100 on JobRoute's task exposure measure, the importance-weighted average of the role's O*NET task scores. Higher means more of the work is AI-doable today. 0 of the 27 task scores are observed in the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026 release), and the other 27 are estimated from each task's O*NET work activity.

Which Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers tasks can AI already do?

The tasks with the highest exposure are: Mark identifying information on tubing or cable assemblies, using etching devices, labels, rubber stamps, or other methods; Install mechanical linkages and actuators, using tensiometers to verify tension of cables; Verify dimensions of cable assemblies or positions of fittings, using measuring instruments. They are the tasks that reach 60 or more.

What AI model tier does this role need?

An efficient-tier model or lower covers 30% of the role's importance-weighted task work, and 63% is hands-on work that no model tier covers. JobRoute assigns each task the lowest tier that can do it under a published rubric and recommends the lowest tier that covers 80% of the work AI can address.

How many people work as Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers, and what do they earn?

34,020 people in the United States, with a median annual wage of $65,380 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025). BLS Employment Projections expect a change of -14.5% from 2024 to 2034.

How to cite

Data version 2026-11-02, JobRoute method v1.0.0. Download all occupations or this occupation as JSON. Methodology.

JobRoute (2026). AI exposure: Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers. Data version 2026-11-02, method v1.0.0. Built on O*NET 30.3, BLS OEWS May 2025 and the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026). CC BY 4.0. https://www.jobroute.ai/jobs/aircraft-structure-surfaces-rigging-and-systems-assemblers

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