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Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Riggers

Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Riggers
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Median pay

$62,060
Median annual pay for Riggers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

3.2%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

2,500
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

24,600
Estimated U.S. employment for Riggers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+800
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Monitoring
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Mechanical
  2. 2Public Safety and Security
  3. 3Production and Processing
  4. 4Customer and Personal Service
  5. 5Administration and Management
  6. 6Design

Abilities

  1. 1Problem Sensitivity
  2. 2Control Precision
  3. 3Depth Perception
  4. 4Multilimb Coordination
  5. 5Near Vision
  6. 6Far Vision

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Social

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Cautiousness
  3. 3Attention to Detail
  4. 4Stress Tolerance
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Perseverance

Work activities

  1. 1Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  2. 2Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  3. 3Handling and Moving Objects
  4. 4Performing General Physical Activities
  5. 5Getting Information
  6. 6Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Work context

  1. 1Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  2. 2Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  3. 3Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
  4. 4Time Pressure
  5. 5Contact With Others
  6. 6Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

Representative tasks

  • Test rigging to ensure safety and reliability.
  • Signal or verbally direct workers engaged in hoisting and moving loads to ensure safety of workers and materials.
  • Control movement of heavy equipment through narrow openings or confined spaces, using chainfalls, gin poles, gallows frames, and other equipment.
  • Tilt, dip, and turn suspended loads to maneuver over, under, or around obstacles, using multi-point suspension techniques.
  • Select gear, such as cables, pulleys, and winches, according to load weights and sizes, facilities, and work schedules.
  • Dismantle and store rigging equipment after use.
  • Attach loads to rigging to provide support or prepare them for moving, using hand and power tools.
  • Manipulate rigging lines, hoists, and pulling gear to move or support materials, such as heavy equipment, ships, or theatrical sets.

Software and tools

Autodesk AutoCAD · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyAutodesk Maya

The short answer

Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.

The measurable national baseline is $62,060 median annual pay, 3.2% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034, and 2,500 projected openings per year. Use these figures as a national benchmark rather than a personal forecast; location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours can change individual outcomes.

Pay and the size of the opportunity

The national median-pay figure for Riggers is $62,060. Current employment is 24,600, with projected 2034 employment of 25,400. Pay describes the middle worker nationally, not a guaranteed starting salary, and the employment totals describe the occupation's scale rather than the number of jobs available to one applicant.

Demand, growth, and annual openings

BLS projects 3.2% employment growth for Riggers from 2024 to 2034 and about 2,500 openings per year. Growth measures whether the occupation is expanding, while annual openings also include replacement needs created when workers retire, change occupations, or leave the labor force.

Education and preparation

The typical BLS entry-education category is High school diploma or equivalent. Related work experience is None, and the listed on-the-job training category is Moderate-term on-the-job training. These categories summarize a national pathway; licensing, certification, portfolios, apprenticeships, or local employer requirements may add to it.

What the work involves

Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.

A representative O*NET task is: Test rigging to ensure safety and reliability. The broader activity profile emphasizes Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials, Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates, Handling and Moving Objects.

Skills, knowledge, and tools

The strongest available O*NET skill signals are Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring. Leading knowledge areas are Mechanical, Public Safety and Security, Production and Processing. These are national occupational signals, so a specific employer may emphasize a different mix. Examples of software or tools associated with the occupation include Autodesk AutoCAD, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word.

Common questions

What is the median pay for Riggers?

The national median annual pay in the current dataset is $62,060. Actual pay varies by location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours.

Is demand growing for Riggers?

BLS projects 3.2% employment growth from 2024 to 2034 and about 2,500 openings per year. Openings include both newly created positions and replacement demand.

What education is needed for Riggers?

The typical BLS entry-education category is High school diploma or equivalent. Related experience, on-the-job training, licensing, or certification requirements may also apply.

What does Riggers involve?

Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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