Rigger and Lifting Operations Specialist
Impact: Enabling the safe movement of heavy loads that makes construction, industrial, and offshore operations possible
Plan and carry out lifting operations using cranes, hoists, and rigging equipment to move heavy loads safely in construction, industrial, and offshore environments, combining rigging expertise with lifting operations planning. Plan lifting operations; rig loads; supervise crane operations; carry out rigging inspections; and provide lifting operations management. Develop expertise in a specific rigging domain such as offshore rigging, heavy lift rigging, or theatrical rigging.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Moderate
- Team vs solo
- 60% Team / 40% Solo
- Client facing
- Sometimes
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- 30-50% travel to lifting sites
- Schedule flexibility
- Structured
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 42-55 hours/week
- Stress level
- High
At a glance
- Median salary
- $50,000
- Entry-level
- $26,000 - $38,000
- Senior
- $85,000+
- Growth by 2033
- 7% (construction and offshore energy sectors driving demand)
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- High
- Salary growth potential
- High -- 80-170% growth from rigger to lifting operations manager
- Typical student debt
- $0 - $10,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Rigging (wire rope
- chain
- synthetic slings)
- Lifting operations planning (LOLER)
- Crane signalling and slinging
- Rigging inspection and certification
- CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme) Slinger/Signaller
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) compliance
Soft skills
- Safety awareness
- Communication
- Leadership
- Problem-solving
- Technical aptitude
Technical complexity: High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Certificate or Vocational Training
- Licensing
- Yes
- Years to mid-career
- 3-5 years
- Years to senior
- 8-15 years
- Career switching
- Hard
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
- Construction Groundworker
- Crane Operator
Where you can go from here
- Lifting Operations Supervisor
- Lifting Operations Manager
Typical progression
- Rigger
- Senior Rigger
- Lifting Operations Supervisor
- Lifting Operations Manager
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 10% -- automated crane systems are growing; rigging and lifting operations planning remain human
- AI disruption risk
- Very Low
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 7.5/10
- Meaning
- 7.5/10
- Work-life balance
- 6.5/10
- Prestige
- 7/10
- Social perception
- Moderate