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Riggers in Texas
Considering working as a Riggers in Texas? Here’s what the data says. Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.
What do Riggers Make in Texas?
For a riggers working in Texas, the median annual wage is $51,890 per year (or about $24.95/hour).Earnings range from $37,440 at the 10th percentile to $80,600 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| 25th percentile | $45,370 | $21.81 |
| Median (50th) | $51,890 | $24.95 |
| 75th percentile | $72,930 | $35.06 |
| 90th percentile | $80,600 | $38.75 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Texas relative to the national average — is 1.79, meaning that riggers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, riggers earn a median of $35,808 per year ($17.22/hour), exceeding the Texas median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 515,404 riggers nationwide. In Texas alone, approximately 3,890 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 290 riggers.
Top Texas Metros for Riggers
The metro areas below employ the most riggers in Texas.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 1,250 | $64,330 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 580 | $55,000 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 360 | $49,560 |
| Midland, TX | 310 | $48,410 |
| Longview, TX | 160 | $43,310 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 150 | $57,150 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 120 | $61,170 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 110 | $60,840 |
| Odessa, TX | 110 | $44,460 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 50 | $38,510 |
Top States for Riggers Employment
These states have the highest employment of riggers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 3,890 |
| California | 3,470 |
| Louisiana | 2,270 |
| Virginia | 2,030 |
| Florida | 1,130 |
| Washington | 900 |
| New York | 880 |
| Nevada | 590 |
| Georgia | 570 |
| Utah | 480 |
| South Carolina | 430 |
| Oklahoma | 420 |
| Colorado | 400 |
| Maryland | 380 |
| Connecticut | 360 |
| Oregon | 350 |
| Maine | 340 |
| Missouri | 340 |
| Mississippi | 320 |
| Pennsylvania | 300 |
Highest-Paying States for Riggers
The highest-paying states for riggers.
| 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 |
Skills
The most important riggers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for riggers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- 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.
- Align, level, and anchor machinery.
- Load machines onto trucks to prepare for transportation.
- Attach pulleys and blocks to fixed overhead structures, such as beams, ceilings, and gin pole booms, using bolts and clamps.
- Fabricate, set up, and repair rigging, supporting structures, hoists, and pulling gear, using hand and power tools.
Work Activities
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Getting Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Processing Information
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD
Related Careers
Careers similar to riggers include:
- Pile Driver Operators
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers
- Helpers–Electricians
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
- Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
Also Known As
Acrobatic Rigger, Boat Rigger, Certified Rigger, Crane Rigger, Fly Rail Operator, Gantry Rigger, Gear Repairer, Grip, Hand Rigger, Heavy Lift Rigger, High Rigger, Hook Tender, Laborer Journeyman, Loft Rigger, Machinery Erector.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 49-9096.00