What You Need to Know About Rigger
Rigger Job Description Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.
Daily Life Of a Rigger
- Tilt, dip, and turn suspended loads to maneuver over, under, or around obstacles, using multi-point suspension techniques.
- Attach loads to rigging to provide support or prepare them for moving, using hand and power tools.
- Fabricate, set up, and repair rigging, supporting structures, hoists, and pulling gear, using hand and power tools.
- Clean and dress machine surfaces and component parts.
- 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.
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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.
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 Jobs
- Rigger
- Loft Rigger
- Laborer
- Parachute Rigger
- Yacht Rigger
Are There Job Opportunities 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.
Rigger Salary
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 |
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 to Become a Rigger
What kind of Rigger requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Riggers Work

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

You May Also 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.
Featured Schools
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