Career comparison
Pile Driver Operator vs. Rigger
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Pile driver operators earn more at the median ($73,300 vs. $62,640), while riggers usually get to work faster (Months of training of training). Pile driver operators drive steel, concrete and wood piles that hold up bridges and buildings. 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
| Pile Driver Operator | Rigger | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $73,300 ($35.24/hr) | $62,640 ($30.12/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $48,790 – $124,600 | $40,680 – $97,850 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -5.7% (a projected decline) | +3.9% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 200 | 1,700 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Months to years of training | Months of training |
| Key credential | NCCCO crane certification | NCCCO Rigger Level I and II |
| Work setting | Operators work on construction sites, docks and barges.. | Riggers work on construction sites, plants and ports.. |
What each job does
Pile Driver Operator
- Operate pile drivers
- Position piles
- Drive to depth
- Record driving logs
- Rig piles
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 pile driver operator if…
- I like big machines
- I’m precise
- I don’t mind noise
Choose rigger if…
- I like math and physics
- I stay calm
- I communicate clearly
Still torn? Take the Pile Driver Operator fit quiz and the Rigger fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, pile driver operator or rigger?
Pile Driver Operators earn more at the median: $73,300 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 pile driver operators (Months to years of training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects riggers to grow +3.9% from 2025–35, compared with -5.7% for pile driver operators.