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Construction and infrastructure
Bechtel, Kiewit, Fluor
Riggers
Riggers move heavy machinery and oversized materials by choosing the right slings, cables, hoists, and pulleys, then guiding the load into place without damaging people, property, or equipment. The job stands out because it blends muscle with precision: one wrong calculation or bad signal can turn a routine lift into a serious hazard, so the work is as much about judgment and coordination as it is about strength.
Also known as RiggerIndustrial RiggerRigging TechnicianHeavy Lift RiggerRigging Specialist
Median Salary
$62,060
Mean $66,600
U.S. Workforce
~24K
2.5K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+3.2%
24.6K to 25.4K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Riggers sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~24K workers, with a median annual pay of $62,060 and roughly 2.5K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 24.6 K in 2024 to 25.4K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Rigger Helper and can progress toward Rigging Foreman. High-value skills usually include Operation and Control, Load Planning, Center of Gravity & Lift Calculations, and Slings, Shackles, Hoists & Chainfalls, paired with soft skills such as Active listening, Coordination, and Critical thinking.
Core Responsibilities
- Check rigging gear, attachment points, and the load itself before anything gets lifted.
- Choose the right cables, hooks, pulleys, and winches for the weight, size, and shape of the item being moved.
- Fasten machinery or equipment so it can be lifted, shifted, or set down safely.
- Guide heavy loads through narrow openings or tight work areas using hoists and similar lifting equipment.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Check rigging gear, attachment points, and the load itself before anything gets lifted.
02 Choose the right cables, hooks, pulleys, and winches for the weight, size, and shape of the item being moved.
03 Fasten machinery or equipment so it can be lifted, shifted, or set down safely.
04 Guide heavy loads through narrow openings or tight work areas using hoists and similar lifting equipment.
05 Load machines onto trucks or trailers so they can be transported to another site.
06 Take rigging equipment apart after the job, store it properly, and note what was used or inspected.
Industries That Hire
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Shipbuilding and marine repair
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Bath Iron Works, General Dynamics NASSCO
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Manufacturing and industrial plants
Boeing, Caterpillar, Tesla
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Live events and entertainment production
Cirque du Soleil, Disney Live Entertainment, Feld Entertainment
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Energy and utilities
ExxonMobil, Chevron, Duke Energy
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for a trade role, with a median of $62,060 and a mean of $66,600.
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You do not need a college degree to get started, and the typical path is only a high school diploma plus moderate on-the-job training.
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There are about 2.5 thousand annual openings, so replacement hiring is steady even though the field is small.
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The work is varied, with jobs in shipyards, plants, construction sites, and event production instead of the same setting every day.
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The skills transfer across industries, which can make it easier to move from one type of heavy work to another.
Challenges
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The job is physically demanding and risky, because you are working around heavy loads, moving machinery, and tight spaces.
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Growth is modest at 3.2% from 2024 to 2034, so the field is not expanding quickly; much of the hiring is replacement demand rather than new job creation.
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Work can be uneven because it depends on construction schedules, plant shutdowns, and project work, so some periods are busier than others.
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There is a real ceiling unless you move into lead, foreman, or supervisor roles, so long-term pay gains may require stepping away from hands-on lifting.
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The career is tied to physical ability and safety compliance, which can make it harder to stay in the role as injuries add up over time.
Career Progression
Rigger Helper
0-1 years
$36K-$47K
New workers learn the gear, safety rules, hand signals, and basic load handling while supporting more experienced riggers.
Rigger
1-4 years
$55K-$70K
At this level, workers plan and execute common lifts, move equipment in tight spaces, and handle the core work of the job.
Senior Rigger THIS ROLE
4-8 years
$71K-$86K
Experienced riggers take on harder lifts, oversee smaller crews, and solve problems when loads, access, or schedules get complicated.
Rigging Foreman
8+ years
$87K-$103K
Foremen coordinate crews, review lift plans, and make sure heavy moves happen safely and on schedule.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The most common entry point, held by 62.85% of workers, is a high school diploma or equivalent paired with moderate on-the-job training.
Less than a high school diploma
A sizable 21.17% of workers report less than a high school diploma, usually because the job can be learned through hands-on training once hired.
Post-secondary certificate in rigging, construction, or industrial lifting
About 15.98% of workers have a post-secondary certificate, which can help applicants move into the field with more confidence around safety and equipment.
Rigging apprenticeship or employer-sponsored training
Some workers enter through an apprenticeship or company-run training program, especially in shipyards, plants, and heavy construction.
Key Skills
Technical
Operation and Control 65%
Load Planning, Center of Gravity & Lift Calculations 64%
Slings, Shackles, Hoists & Chainfalls 63%
Pulleys, Blocks & Winches 62%
Machinery Alignment, Leveling & Securement 61%
Heavy Equipment Transport Prep & Tie-Downs 60%
Soft Skills
Active listeningCoordinationCritical thinkingMonitoringReading comprehensionComplex problem solving Job Outlook and Trends
+3.2%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
2.5K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 24.6K to 25.4 K over the next decade, representing 3.2% growth. Around 2.5 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.