high rigger
High riggers assemble and hoist temporary suspension structures on heights to support performance equipment. Their work is based on instruction, plans and calculations. Their job can include rope access, working above colleagues, assemble constructions to lift performers and lifting heavy loads, which makes it a high risk occupation. They work indoor as well as outdoor. They cooperate with ground riggers to unload and assemble constructions on ground level.
high rigger high riggers assemble and hoist temporary suspension structures on heights to support performance equipment. Their work is based on instruction, plans and calculations. The role shows moderate AI exposure (0.50 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include work ergonomically, provide first aid, write risk assessment on performing arts production, hang chain hoists, work safely with machines.
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 high rigger, 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
- Mathematics
- Building and Construction
- Education and Training
- Engineering and Technology
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Design
What you'd actually do
- Replace defective parts of machine, or adjust clearances and alignment of moving parts.
- Align machines or equipment, using hoists, jacks, hand tools, squares, rules, micrometers, lasers, or plumb bobs.
- Insert shims, adjust tension on nuts and bolts, or position parts, using hand tools and measuring instruments, to set specified clearances between moving and stationary parts.
- Signal crane operator to lower basic assembly units to bedplate, and align unit to centerline.
- Conduct preventative maintenance and repair, and lubricate machines and equipment.
- Assemble and install equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does high rigger do?
High riggers assemble and hoist temporary suspension structures on heights to support performance equipment. Their work is based on instruction, plans and calculations. Their job can include rope access, working above colleagues, assemble constructions to lift performers and lifting heavy loads, which makes it a high risk occupation. They work indoor as well as outdoor. They cooperate with ground riggers to unload and assemble constructions on ground level.
What skills does high rigger need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include work ergonomically, provide first aid, write risk assessment on performing arts production, hang chain hoists, work safely with machines, use personal protection equipment. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace high rigger?
Our AI-durability model gives high rigger a score of 0.50 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.