Riggers
SOC code 49-9096 · O*NET-SOC 49-9096.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades
Riggers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$62,640
a year
Hourly
$30.12
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$66,810
$32.12 per hour
Middle 50%
$48,210 – $80,180
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$40,680 – $97,850
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
22,530
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $40,680
- $19.56/hr
- 25th percentile
- $48,210
- $23.18/hr
- Median percentile
- $62,640
- $30.12/hr
- 75th percentile
- $80,180
- $38.55/hr
- 90th percentile
- $97,850
- $47.04/hr
What does a rigger do?
Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to become a rigger
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 63% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)63%
- Less than a High School Diploma21%
- Post-Secondary Certificate16%
Common questions
How much does a rigger earn?
The national median is $62,640 a year. The full range runs from $40,680 at the 10th percentile to $97,850 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a rigger without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension3.1/5
- Active Listening3.1/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Speaking3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical3.7/5
- Public Safety and Security3.6/5
- Production and Processing3.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.5/5
- Administration and Management3.4/5
- Design3.3/5
- English Language3.3/5
- Education and Training3.3/5
Transferable strengths: Operation and Control, Coordination, Operations Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.