Riggers Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for riggers in the U.S. is $62,640 ($30.12 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $62,640
- Mean annual wage
- $66,810
- Median hourly wage
- $30.12
- Employment
- 22,530
22,530 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,680 | $19.56 |
| 25th percentile | $48,210 | $23.18 |
| Median (50th) | $62,640 | $30.12 |
| 75th percentile | $80,180 | $38.55 |
| 90th percentile | $97,850 | $47.04 |
Highest-paying states for riggers
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $105,600 | 650 |
| Oregon | $94,470 | 290 |
| Utah | $93,640 | 490 |
| Maryland | $91,420 | 230 |
| Minnesota | $87,120 | 190 |
| California | $85,730 | 2,260 |
| Hawaii | $84,410 | 170 |
| New Jersey | $82,130 | 200 |
| Illinois | $81,860 | 120 |
| Nevada | $81,720 | 860 |
Lowest-paying states
- New Mexico: $37,440 median annual wage
- Kansas: $41,060 median annual wage
- Louisiana: $43,660 median annual wage
- Indiana: $46,090 median annual wage
- Tennessee: $47,180 median annual wage
About this occupation
Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.
Typical tasks
- Control movement of heavy equipment through narrow openings or confined spaces, using chainfalls, gin poles, gallows frames, and other equipment.
- 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.
- Dismantle and store rigging equipment after use.
- Attach pulleys and blocks to fixed overhead structures, such as beams, ceilings, and gin pole booms, using bolts and clamps.
- Tilt, dip, and turn suspended loads to maneuver over, under, or around obstacles, using multi-point suspension techniques.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 13.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 38.4% |
| Some college, no degree | 28.9% |
| Associate's degree | 10.0% |
| Bachelor's degree | 5.7% |
| Master's degree | 2.3% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 1.2% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$49,590
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$50,620
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$79,860
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$64,520
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$61,010
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$61,770
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$65,510
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$49,230
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.