Career comparison
Ironworker vs. Rigger
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Ironworkers earn more at the median ($62,780 vs. $62,640), while riggers usually get to work faster (Months of training of training). Ironworkers raise the steel frames of buildings, bridges and towers, high above the ground. Riggers plan and rig heavy lifts for cranes, machinery moves and construction.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Ironworker | Rigger | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $62,780 ($30.18/hr) | $62,640 ($30.12/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $44,580 – $108,260 | $40,680 – $97,850 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.1% (about as fast as average) | +3.9% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 5,900 | 1,700 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) | Months of training |
| Key credential | Apprenticeship completion | NCCCO Rigger Level I and II |
| Work setting | Ironworkers work outdoors at great heights on buildings, bridges and towers, in heat, cold and wind. | Riggers work on construction sites, plants and ports.. |
What each job does
Ironworker
- Read blueprints and erection drawings
- Signal cranes and rig steel members for lifting
- Guide beams and columns into position
- Bolt and weld connections
- Plumb and align steel frames
Rigger
- Plan lifts
- Calculate weights
- Select rigging
- Attach loads
- Signal operators
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, working outdoors, teamwork, and high responsibility. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose ironworker if…
- I’m comfortable working at great heights
- I like physical, high-energy work
- I trust and depend on my crew
Choose rigger if…
- I like math and physics
- I stay calm
- I communicate clearly
Still torn? Take the Ironworker fit quiz and the Rigger fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, ironworker or rigger?
Ironworkers earn more at the median: $62,780 versus $62,640 for riggers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Riggers typically train faster (Months of training) than ironworkers (3–4 years (apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects riggers to grow +3.9% from 2025–35, compared with +3.1% for ironworkers.