Find Trade Colleges
What is a Rigger?
Example of Rigger Job Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.
Rigger Responsibilities
- Tilt, dip, and turn suspended loads to maneuver over, under, or around obstacles, using multi-point suspension techniques.
- Align, level, and anchor machinery.
- 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.
- 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.
Featured schools near , edit
Rigger Required 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.
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.
Other Rigger Job Titles
- Yacht Rigger
- Acrobatic Rigger
- Stage Rigger
- Crane Rigger
- Boat Rigger
Job Opportunities 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.
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.
Do Riggers Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Riggers ranges between about $29,990 and $75,930 a year.
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?
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 to Become a Rigger
Individuals working as a Rigger have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Rigger?
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming a Rigger might also be interested in the following careers:
- 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.