Riggers
Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.
Riggers set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry. The role reports a median annual salary of $62,060 in the US and is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows low AI exposure (0.35 on a 0-1 scale) — the role's core work resists automation. The most in-demand skills for the role include mechanical tools, rigging terminology, crane load charts, keep heavy construction equipment in good condition, work ergonomically.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £41,548 a year for Scaffolders, stagers and riggers (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8151). ONS publishes this estimate without a precision measure. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Craft and related trades workers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Riggers, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 7. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Design
- English Language
- Education and Training
What you'd actually do
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Riggers do?
Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.
How much does Riggers earn?
The median annual salary for Riggers in the US is $62,060.
What is the job outlook for Riggers?
The role is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 24,600 workers.
How do I become a riggers?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Riggers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include mechanical tools, rigging terminology, crane load charts, keep heavy construction equipment in good condition, work ergonomically, rig loads. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Riggers?
Our AI-durability model gives Riggers a score of 0.35 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at low AI exposure — the role's core work resists current-generation automation. It's a comparatively AI-durable choice within its field.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Riggers has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.