Riggers: Job Description
Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.
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What Do Riggers Do?
The core tasks performed by riggers cover:
- Test rigging to ensure safety and reliability.
- Signal or verbally direct workers engaged in hoisting and moving loads to ensure safety of workers and materials.
- Control movement of heavy equipment through narrow openings or confined spaces, using chainfalls, gin poles, gallows frames, and other equipment.
- Tilt, dip, and turn suspended loads to maneuver over, under, or around obstacles, using multi-point suspension techniques.
- Select gear, such as cables, pulleys, and winches, according to load weights and sizes, facilities, and work schedules.
- 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.
Skills and Knowledge
Top riggers draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The abilities most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Other Riggers Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Acrobatic Rigger
- Boat Rigger
- Certified Rigger
- Crane Rigger
- Fly Rail Operator
- Gantry Rigger
- Gear Repairer
- Grip
How Many Riggers Are There?
There are roughly 515,404 riggers working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +8.9% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Riggers Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $35,808 |
| Hourly median | $17.22 |
| 10th percentile | $24,269 |
| 25th percentile | $30,039 |
| 75th percentile | $41,578 |
| 90th percentile | $47,347 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Riggers Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $103,230 |
| Maryland | $91,730 |
| Utah | $91,070 |
| Oregon | $89,770 |
| California | $83,320 |
| Idaho | $82,250 |
| Hawaii | $80,180 |
| Nevada | $77,960 |
| North Dakota | $76,980 |
| Washington | $75,750 |
| Missouri | $75,480 |
| Massachusetts | $74,560 |
| Colorado | $72,360 |
| South Dakota | $72,330 |
| Minnesota | $68,840 |
| New Mexico | $67,910 |
| Wisconsin | $67,500 |
| Illinois | $67,420 |
| Maine | $63,340 |
| Connecticut | $63,270 |
| West Virginia | $62,730 |
| Virginia | $62,140 |
| Iowa | $61,880 |
| Mississippi | $61,860 |
| Georgia | $61,560 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,410 |
| New Jersey | $60,050 |
| Kentucky | $59,740 |
| Nebraska | $59,530 |
| Michigan | $59,370 |
| North Carolina | $55,650 |
| Texas | $51,890 |
| Arizona | $50,340 |
| Tennessee | $50,280 |
| Florida | $49,770 |
| Wyoming | $48,880 |
| Ohio | $47,590 |
| Indiana | $47,580 |
| South Carolina | $46,280 |
| Arkansas | $46,140 |
| Oklahoma | $45,290 |
| Kansas | $43,770 |
| Alabama | $41,550 |
| Louisiana | $38,370 |
| Puerto Rico | $31,990 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Compensation for riggers differ across the country. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Atlantic | $89,374 | 7.1% | 0.58 |
| Far Western US | $81,808 | 22.9% | 1.44 |
| Rocky Mountains | $81,203 | 4.2% | 1.28 |
| Plains States | $67,683 | 4.9% | 0.79 |
| New England | $66,437 | 4.0% | 1.85 |
| Great Lakes | $58,100 | 4.9% | 0.41 |
| Southwest | $51,689 | 19.7% | 1.68 |
| Southeast | $50,928 | 32.2% | 3.42 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Riggers
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | ND | $165,050 | 40 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | NY | $103,230 | 40 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $103,050 | 760 |
| Boise City, ID | ID | $102,860 | 60 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $95,670 | 200 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | UT | $95,350 | 280 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | CA | $94,540 | 1,800 |
| Rochester, NY | NY | $91,480 | 30 |
Top Industries Employing Riggers
The bulk of riggers are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 7,130 | $64,330 |
| Manufacturing | 3,840 | $50,280 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 2,140 | $40,870 |
| Information | 1,760 | $101,840 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 1,310 | $48,930 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1,310 | $59,040 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 830 | $68,450 |
| Retail Trade | 700 | $43,080 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Software Riggers Use
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
Work Environment
The work environment for riggers tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
- Time Pressure
- Contact With Others
Education and Training
Typical riggers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Pile Driver Operators (Supplemental)
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (Primary-Long)
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers (Primary-Long)
- Helpers–Electricians (Supplemental)
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining (Supplemental)
- Roustabouts, Oil and Gas (Supplemental)
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines (Primary-Short)
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians (Supplemental)
References
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 49-9096.00 (Riggers).
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