How much does a engine assembler make?
Answer: A typical engine assembler in the United States makes $53,710 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 34,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Engine assembler pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $38,500 | $53,710 | $77,750 | about 34,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $74,750 | about 3,000 |
| Michigan | $60,950 | about 5,000 |
| Wisconsin | $54,240 | about 860 |
| Florida | $52,660 | about 800 |
| Illinois | $49,630 | about 650 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can vary with experience and skill, education or training, the employer or industry, and location. Complex machines may call for greater skill, and some factory jobs include night or weekend shifts.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a engine assembler do?
Construct, assemble, or rebuild machines, such as engines, turbines, and similar equipment used in such industries as construction, extraction, textiles, and paper manufacturing.
What's a typical day like?
They read blueprints, line up machine parts by hand or with a hoist, then fasten them with tools. They inspect the finished machine and run tests to check that it works as planned.
How to get this job
In the United States, a high school diploma or GED is usually enough; employers provide several months of hands-on training. Apprenticeships are another route, and some advanced specialties need extra technical study.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
They may assemble turbines and machines for textile and paper factories—not just vehicle engines.
What about Japan?
Nearly the same jobThe US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Production jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/production/assemblers-and-fabricators.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-2031.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes512031.htm
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/51-2031.00
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY