What Does a Rigger Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a rigger do?

Riggers set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards and ships, attaching loads for lifting. The median pay is $62,640 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Months of training, and employment is projected to grow +3.9% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$62,640
$30.12/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+3.9%
2025–35, about as fast as average
Openings per year
1,700
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
Months of training
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
22,500
Employment, 2025

What riggers do

Riggers move heavy things safely. They select slings, shackles and hardware, calculate load weights and angles, attach loads to cranes and hoists, signal operators and move machinery in plants and on sites.

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects about average growth.

Typical duties

Plan lifts
Calculate weights
Select rigging
Attach loads
Signal operators
Inspect gear
Move machinery

Work environment and schedule

Riggers work on construction sites, plants and ports.

Schedule: Full time, sometimes travel.

A day in the life

6:30 AMLift planning meeting.
7:00 AMInspect slings.
8:00 AMRig a generator for a crane pick.
10:00 AMSignal the lift.

See a full day in the life of a rigger →

Rigger salary

Half of riggers earned more than $62,640 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $40,680 for the lowest 10% to $97,850 for the top 10%.

$40,68010th$62,640Median$97,85090th

Full rigger pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a rigger

Finish high school
Work as a laborer
Learn rigging
Earn NCCCO Rigger
Advance

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a rigger →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Load calculation
Sling angles
Hardware selection
Signaling
Machinery moving

People skills

Precision
Communication
Calm
Teamwork

All rigger skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Strong pay
Problem-solving
Average growth
High-skill niche

Cons

High stakes
Heights
Weather
Physical work

Certifications and licenses

NCCCO Rigger Level I and II: Rigging certification.
NCCCO Signalperson: Signals.
OSHA 10: Safety.
Ironworkers or millwright apprenticeship: Helpful.

Career path

Laborer: Entry.
Rigger: Rig.
Lead Rigger: Lead lifts.
Lift Director: Plan critical lifts.

Learn the job before day one

Our Rigger training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as calculate sling tension at an angle and rig a load with a choker hitch, safety and how to land your first job.

View Rigger training Is this career right for me?

Crane Operator

Lift steel, equipment and materials with cranes on job sites, ports and plants.

$68,080
3–12 months plus experience

Ironworker

Raise the steel frames of buildings, bridges and towers, high above the ground.

$62,780
3–4 years (apprenticeship)

Millwright

Install, align and maintain the heavy machinery in factories, plants and power stations.

$65,700
4 years (apprenticeship)

Hoist Operator

Run hoists and winches that lift people and materials.

$56,450
A few weeks of training

Compare: Rigger vs. Crane Operator · Rigger vs. Ironworker · Rigger vs. Millwright · Rigger vs. Hoist Operator

Rigger FAQ

Do riggers need certification?

NCCCO certification is common and often required.

Is the job growing?

BLS projects about average growth.

Is it dangerous?

It’s high-stakes, which is why planning matters.

How much does a rigger make?

The median annual wage for riggers was $62,640 ($30.12 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $40,680 and the highest 10% earned more than $97,850.

How long does it take to become a rigger?

Most people need about Months of training of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a rigger?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-9096 (Riggers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Riggers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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