Riggers

Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.

From people doing the work

Day-to-day as a rigger involves a lot of physical work, precise planning, and constant communication. You're always assessing loads, checking equipment, and ensuring safety. It's satisfying to see massive structures or heavy equipment moved into place because of your careful work.

Drawn from International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA), r/Rigging, Lift & Hoist International, Experienced Riggers (20+ years)

Attribution: Composite

Composite · Synthesised from International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA), r/Rigging, Lift & Hoist International

A day in the life of a Rigger

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
90% Team / 10% Solo
Client facing
Sometimes
Impact visibility
High
Travel
Extensive
Schedule flexibility
Flexible
Remote work
On-site Only
Typical work hours
40-50
Stress level
Moderate

Riggers salary, education and outlook at a glance

Median salary
$62,060
Entry-level
$47,000
Senior
$87,000
Growth by 2033
+3.2%
Demand
Stable
Freelance potential
Moderate
Salary growth potential
85%
Typical student debt
Moderate

Skills you need as a Rigger

Hard skills

  • Mechanical
  • Operation and Control
  • Computer aided design CAD software

Soft skills

  • Coordination
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Active Listening

Technical complexity: Low

Tools of the trade

Core tools

  • Cranes (Hardware): Used for lifting and moving heavy objects on construction sites and in industrial settings.
  • Hoists (Hardware): Essential for vertical lifting of materials and equipment.
  • Slings (Hardware): Used to attach loads to lifting equipment safely.

Commonly used

  • Pulleys (Hardware): Mechanisms for changing the direction of a pulling force and gaining mechanical advantage.
  • Winches (Hardware): Used for pulling or winding rope or cable, often in conjunction with cranes or hoists.

Specialist tools

  • Load Cells (Hardware): Devices for measuring force or weight during lifting operations to ensure safety.
  • CAD Software (Software): Used for designing rigging plans and calculating load capacities.

How to become a Rigger

Minimum education
High School Diploma
Licensing
Varies by State
Years to mid-career
4-7
Years to senior
10-15
Career switching
Moderate

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

  • Construction Laborer: Laborers often assist riggers and can transition into rigging roles with proper training.
  • Warehouse Worker: Workers handling heavy materials in warehouses may develop skills transferable to rigging.
  • Welder: Welders often work on structures that require rigging for assembly or disassembly.

Where you can go from here

  • Crane Operator: Riggers often work closely with crane operators and can advance to this role.
  • Ironworker: Ironworkers frequently perform rigging tasks as part of their structural steel work.
  • Maintenance Mechanic: Rigging skills are valuable for mechanics who need to move heavy machinery for repair or installation.

Typical progression

  1. Riggers
  2. Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
  3. Maintenance Workers, Machinery
  4. or Millwrights

Riggers job outlook and future demand

Automation probability
Very High
AI disruption risk
Low
Demand trend
Stable

Job satisfaction as a Rigger

Overall satisfaction
6.8/10
Meaning
6.5/10
Work-life balance
6/10
Prestige
5.5/10
Social perception
Moderate

Where practitioners gather

Professional organisations

Podcasts and media

Reddit communities

  • r/Rigging: An online community for discussions, advice, and sharing experiences related to rigging.

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