All About Riggers
Rigger Example Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.
A Day in the Life of a Rigger
- Select gear such as cables, pulleys, and winches, according to load weights and sizes, facilities, and work schedules.
- Signal or verbally direct workers engaged in hoisting and moving loads to ensure safety of workers and materials.
- Manipulate rigging lines, hoists, and pulling gear to move or support materials such as heavy equipment, ships, or theatrical sets.
- Align, level, and anchor machinery.
- Install ground rigging for yarding lines, attaching chokers to logs and to the lines.
- Test rigging to ensure safety and reliability.
Featured schools near , edit
Rigger Needed Skills
These are the skills Riggers say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Other Rigger Job Titles
- Ship Rigger Apprentice
- Loft Rigger
- Wire Rigger
- Marine Rigger
- Yacht Rigger
Is There Job Demand for Riggers?
There were about 20,900 jobs for Rigger in 2016 (in the United States). 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. There will be an estimated 2,300 positions for Rigger per year.

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.
How Much Does a Rigger Make?
The average yearly salary of a Rigger ranges between $29,990 and $75,930.

Riggers who work in New York, Hawaii, or Illinois, make the highest salaries.
How much do Riggers make in each U.S. state?
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
How to Become a Rigger
What kind of Rigger requirements are there?

What work experience do I need to become a Rigger?

Who Employs Riggers?

Riggers work in the following industries:

Related Careers
Those interested in being a Rigger may also be interested in:
- Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers
- Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians
Those who work as a Rigger sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |