Hiring guide · Skilled Trades & Construction
How to Hire a Rigger
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring riggers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $62,640), recruit through registered apprenticeship programs and union halls, verify NCCCO Rigger Level I and II where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for riggers
There are about 22,500 riggers employed in the U.S., with roughly 1,700 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +3.9% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $40,680–$48,210 | $19.56–$23.18 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $62,640 | $30.12 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $80,180 | $38.55 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $97,850 | $47.04 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- High school diploma or equivalent (typical entry level)
- Load calculation
- Precision
Nice-to-haves
- NCCCO Rigger Level I and II
- NCCCO Signalperson
- OSHA 10
- Experience with slings
Where to find riggers
- Registered apprenticeship programs and union halls
- Trade and technical school placement offices
- Pre-apprenticeship and veterans programs
- Referrals from current crew members
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Industrial Rigger, Crane Rigger, Rigging Specialist, Millwright Rigger
Screening checklist
- Verify state licenses (apprentice registration, journeyworker, master) where required
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 cards and prior safety record
- Valid driver’s license and driving record if operating company vehicles
- A practical skills test or supervised trial task
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Have you rigged lifts?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
2. “Do you have NCCCO?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
3. “How do you calculate loads?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “How do you signal?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
5. “Describe a tough lift.”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Calculate Sling Tension at an Angle (see the steps)
- Rig a Load with a Choker Hitch (see the steps)
- Write a Basic Lift Plan (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Sling, Shackle, WLL
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Rigger 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Rigger training. Show them the path forward: Laborer → Rigger → Lead Rigger → Lift Director.
Hiring riggers: FAQ
How much should I pay a rigger?
The U.S. median wage for riggers is $62,640 per year ($30.12/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($48,210), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($80,180). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a rigger have?
BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education. Look for NCCCO Rigger Level I and II and NCCCO Signalperson where relevant, plus skills such as load calculation, sling angles, and hardware selection.
How long does it take to train a new rigger?
Becoming qualified typically takes Months of training. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “moderate-term on-the-job training.”