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What is a Rigger?
Occupation Description 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
- Fabricate, set up, and repair rigging, supporting structures, hoists, and pulling gear, using hand and power tools.
- Attach pulleys and blocks to fixed overhead structures such as beams, ceilings, and gin pole booms, using bolts and clamps.
- 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.
- Attach loads to rigging to provide support or prepare them for moving, using hand and power tools.
- Control movement of heavy equipment through narrow openings or confined spaces, using chainfalls, gin poles, gallows frames, and other equipment.
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Rigger Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Riggers say are important on the job.
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
- Gear Repairer
- Rigger Helper
- Laborer
- Rig Manager
- Stage Rigger
Is There Going to be 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. The BLS estimates 2,300 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Average Riggers Salary
The typical yearly salary for Riggers is somewhere 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 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Riggers
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Riggers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Outlook
- Autodesk AutoCAD
How do I Become a Rigger?
What kind of Rigger requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Rigger?
Who Employs Riggers?
The table below shows the approximate number of Riggers employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
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
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:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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