Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Rigger

Find Schools Near

What You Need to Know About Rigger

Job Description & Duties Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.

Rigger Responsibilities

  • Dismantle and store rigging equipment after use.
  • Attach loads to rigging to provide support or prepare them for moving, using hand and power tools.
  • Manipulate rigging lines, hoists, and pulling gear to move or support materials such as heavy equipment, ships, or theatrical sets.
  • Tilt, dip, and turn suspended loads to maneuver over, under, or around obstacles, using multi-point suspension techniques.
  • Test rigging to ensure safety and reliability.
  • Control movement of heavy equipment through narrow openings or confined spaces, using chainfalls, gin poles, gallows frames, and other equipment.

Skills Needed to be a Rigger

When polled, Riggers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Types of Rigger

  • Slinger
  • Yacht Rigger
  • Crane Rigger
  • Rig Manager
  • Rig Builder

Is There Job Demand for Riggers?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 20,900 jobs in the United States for Rigger. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,000 new jobs for Rigger by 2026. The BLS estimates 2,300 yearly job openings in this field.

undefined

The states with the most job growth for Rigger are Rhode Island, Utah, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Wisconsin, or New Mexico. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of a Rigger

Riggers make between $29,990 and $75,930 a year.

undefined

Riggers who work in New York, Hawaii, or Illinois, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Riggers in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $44,160
Alaska $65,430
Arizona $55,060
Arkansas $29,850
California $57,610
Colorado $46,400
Connecticut $51,380
Florida $49,580
Georgia $34,560
Hawaii $67,920
Illinois $64,720
Indiana $52,700
Iowa $44,950
Kansas $33,000
Kentucky $42,140
Louisiana $46,610
Maine $52,840
Maryland $56,890
Massachusetts $52,590
Michigan $55,510
Minnesota $62,670
Mississippi $44,900
Missouri $51,100
Montana $50,130
Nebraska $48,860
Nevada $53,230
New Hampshire $50,260
New Jersey $59,420
New Mexico $63,460
New York $80,210
North Carolina $48,580
North Dakota $52,950
Ohio $46,820
Oklahoma $50,630
Oregon $68,500
Pennsylvania $46,290
Rhode Island $56,050
South Carolina $38,440
Tennessee $43,300
Texas $49,990
Utah $59,580
Virginia $49,880
Washington $57,990
West Virginia $37,660
Wisconsin $36,580
Wyoming $41,790

What Tools do Riggers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Riggers may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Autodesk AutoCAD

Becoming a Rigger

Are there Riggers education requirements?

undefined

How many years of work experience do I need?

undefined

Where Riggers Work

undefined

Riggers work in the following industries:

undefined

Similar Careers

Those interested in being a Rigger may also be interested in:

Are you already one of the many Rigger in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

Image Credit: via

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.