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Light Assembler I Salary in the United States

How much does a Light Assembler I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Light Assembler I in the United States is $34,906 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.

However, a Light Assembler I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $39,587
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $32,166 to $37,356
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $29,671
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Light Assembler I Salaries

A Light Assembler I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Light Assembler I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Light Assembler I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Light Assembler I (0-1 years): $34,906
  • Light Assembler II (1-3 years): $41,130
  • Light Assembler III (3-5 years): $45,940
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Light Assembler I0-1 years$34,906
Light Assembler II1-3 years$41,130
Light Assembler III3-5 years$45,940
View as Graph

How Do Light Assembler Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Light Assembler Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $38,648.
  • California: $38,501.
  • Massachusetts: $37,988.

Top Paying Cities for Light Assembler I

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $44,027
  • San Francisco: $43,545
  • Oakland: $42,627

What Skills Can Increase a Light Assembler I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.26% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 2.55% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
  • Mechanical Assembly (Mentioned in 1.61% Job Postings): Combining mechanical components into a finished product using a variety of tools and equipment.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.26%
Continuous Improvement 2.55%
Mechanical Assembly 1.61%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Light Assembler I's salary.

  • Creativity: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Hydraulics: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Creativity $41,887
20%
Hydraulics $38,746
11%
Initiative $38,746
11%
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Light Assembler I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Light Assembler I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $39,144. While startup companies pay approximate $33,126.

Light Assembler I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $33,126
Growth Stage 51~500 $35,031
Established 501~5000 $37,803
Enterprise 5000+ $39,144

Light Assembler I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Light Assembler I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Light Assembler positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Light Assembler I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Light Assembler I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$41,887$20.020%
Biotechnology$41,887$20.020%
Energy & Utilities$41,887$20.020%
Financial Services$41,887$20.020%
MFG Nondurable$41,887$20.020%

How Education impacts an Light Assembler I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Light Assembler I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Light Assembler I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $33,480 and $35,672.

Light Assembler I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Light Assembler I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 16.7%
High School 66.7%
Associates 16.7%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Light Assembler I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Light Assembler I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$32,166
Average $34,906/year
$37,356
$2,681
Average $2,909/month
$3,113
$619
Average $671/week
$718
$15
Average $17/hour
$18
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $37,356 $3,113 $718 $18
Average $34,906 $2,909 $671 $17
25th Percentile $32,166 $2,681 $619 $15

Light Assembler I Salary Growth & Career Path

Light Assembler I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Light Assembler I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Structural Assembler $56,312 61%
Assembler II $44,796 28%
Electric Motor Assembler $39,327 13%
Electronics Assembler II $44,987 29%

Most common benefits for Light Assembler I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Light Assembler I

Here are companies hiring for Light Assembler I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Light Assembler I

1. Where can a Light Assembler I earn the most?

A Light Assembler I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Light Assembler I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Light Assembler I is $44,027.

2. What is the highest pay for Light Assembler I?

The highest pay for Light Assembler I is $39,587.

3. What is the lowest pay for Light Assembler I?

The lowest pay for Light Assembler I is $29,671.

4. What are the responsibilities of Light Assembler I?

Assembles fabricated parts of small or light subassemblies and completes units. Fits, tests, and calibrates parts and mechanisms to meet tolerances and product specifications. Identifies and sorts units that fail quality standards. May disassemble units to repair or refit parts as necessary. Operates hand tools, power tools, and other manufacturing assembly line equipment to assemble units. Typically requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Light Assembler I?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Light Assembler I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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