Occupation · SOC 49-9096
Riggers
Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.
Median wage
$62,060
$38,930–$100,480
Projected growth
+3.3%
Average growth
Annual openings
80
per year
Employed (US)
24,190
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
32 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlCritical ThinkingMonitoringCoordinationReading ComprehensionActive ListeningOperations MonitoringComplex Problem Solving
Knowledge areas
MechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityProduction and ProcessingCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and Management
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareSpreadsheet softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing software
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 aControl movement of heavy equipment through narrow openings or confined spaces, using chainfalls, gi
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Basic rigging terminology and equipment names — identify and define under direct supervisor guidance on an active job site.Pre-use inspection checklists — apply to cables, slings, and hooks following established protocols before each lift.Hand signals and verbal communication cues — recognize and respond to when directed by an experienced rigger during load movements.Simple load attachment points — identify and use hand tools to secure basic loads to rigging hardware under close supervision.Standard gear selection charts — read and reference to match cable or pulley ratings to given load weights with supervisor confirmation.Personal protective equipment requirements — follow and demonstrate correct use in a construction or industrial rigging environment.Rigging equipment storage procedures — assist with dismantling and organizing gear after use according to site protocols.Basic hoist and pulley operation — observe and perform simple tasks under direction to support material movement on a job site.Work order documents and rigging plans — read and interpret basic written instructions to prepare for assigned tasks.Safety hazard recognition — identify common rigging dangers such as overloaded lines or improper angles and report them to a supervisor.
developing
Rigging safety tests — conduct pre-lift checks on assembled rigging systems with reduced oversight to confirm load integrity.Worker coordination signals — issue clear hand and verbal signals to hoist operators and ground crew during routine lifting operations.Load attachment techniques — apply slings, shackles, and chains to varied load shapes using appropriate hitches in a production environment.Gear selection decisions — evaluate load weights, dimensions, and facility constraints to choose cables, pulleys, and winches independently for standard lifts.Multi-point suspension setups — rig and balance loads at multiple attachment points to enable controlled tilting and turning around common obstacles.Chainfall and gin pole operation — use manually operated equipment to move moderately heavy loads through tight or confined spaces.Rigging hardware maintenance — inspect, clean, and store equipment after each job and flag worn or damaged components for replacement.Rigging drawings and load charts — read and apply standard documentation to plan and execute assigned lifts without step-by-step supervision.Time and task coordination — organize sequence of rigging activities to meet project schedules in a construction or industrial setting.Incident and near-miss documentation — record and communicate observations using site reporting forms and email software to support safety programs.
proficient
Complex rigging system integrity — design, assemble, and independently test full rigging setups for heavy or non-standard loads across varied industrial environments.Non-routine lift planning — analyze load geometry, weight distribution, and site restrictions to develop rigging strategies for unusual or high-risk moves.Confined-space load control — operate chainfalls, gallows frames, and specialized pulling gear to maneuver oversized equipment through narrow or restricted passages.Advanced suspension maneuvering — execute multi-point rigging techniques to tilt, dip, and rotate suspended loads safely over, under, and around complex obstacles.Critical gear assessment — evaluate condition and suitability of cables, winches, and blocks for high-consequence lifts using mechanical knowledge and load calculations.Crew safety oversight — monitor all workers engaged in hoisting operations in real time and intervene immediately when unsafe conditions arise.Theatrical and specialized rigging — manipulate rigging lines and hoists to position heavy sets or industrial structures with precision in performance or specialty environments.Rigging problem resolution — apply critical thinking and field experience to diagnose and correct equipment or technique failures during active lifting operations.Cross-functional coordination — communicate technical rigging requirements clearly to engineers, project managers, and site crews to align on safe lift execution.CAD and spreadsheet tools — use computer-aided design and calculation software to review rigging diagrams and verify load capacity figures for planned lifts.
advanced
Organizational rigging standards — develop, implement, and maintain site-wide rigging procedures and safety protocols aligned with industry codes and regulatory requirements.Workforce development — mentor and train apprentice and journeyman riggers in equipment use, lift planning, and safety culture across multiple project teams.High-consequence lift authorization — review, approve, and take ownership of engineered lift plans for critical or exceptionally heavy loads in complex environments.Program-level safety leadership — lead investigations into rigging incidents and near-misses and drive systemic corrective actions across the organization.Resource and equipment strategy — direct procurement, inspection cycles, and retirement decisions for the organization's full inventory of rigging hardware and machinery.Cross-discipline project coordination — partner with structural engineers, project managers, and clients to integrate rigging requirements into overall construction or installation schedules.Advanced problem-solving governance — establish decision frameworks that enable field crews to resolve non-routine rigging challenges safely and consistently without executive escalation.Performance metrics and reporting — design and maintain spreadsheet-based tracking systems to measure lift efficiency, equipment utilization, and safety compliance at organizational scale.Industry knowledge transfer — represent the organization at trade forums, contribute to standards bodies, and translate regulatory updates into actionable internal training.Emerging technology adoption — evaluate new rigging technologies, software tools, and lifting equipment and lead phased integration into standard field operations.
Also known as
32 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Boat RiggerMachinery MoverHeavy Lift RiggerParachute RiggerCertified RiggerMachinery ErectorHigh RiggerOutside RiggerRigger ApprenticeCrane RiggerMotor RiggerRig BuilderRigging FabricatorRiggerMarine RiggerGantry RiggerHand RiggerTheatrical RiggerWire RiggerGear RepairerLoft RiggerHook TenderShip and Boat Building RiggerAcrobatic RiggerYard RiggerStage RiggerFly Rail OperatorSlingerShip RiggerYacht RiggerLaborer JourneymanGrip