Production workers in the aerospace industry earn higher pay than the average for all industries. Weekly earnings for production workers averaged $934 in aerospace product parts manufacturing in 2002, compared with $619 in all manufacturing and $506 in all private industry. Above-average earnings reflect, in part, the high levels of skill required by the industry and the need to motivate workers to concentrate on maintaining high quality standards in their work. Nonproduction workers, such as engineering managers, engineers, and computer specialists, generally command higher pay due to their advanced education and training.

In 2002, 22 percent of all workers in the aerospace industry were union members or covered by union contracts, compared with about 15 percent of all workers throughout private industry. Some of the major aerospace unions include the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; the United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America; the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA); and the International Union of Allied Industrial Workers of America.