# Riggers

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

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/riggers
- SOC code: 49-9096.00
- Career family: Installation and repair
- Median annual pay: $62,640 (10th percentile $40,680, 90th percentile $97,850)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +3.9%
- Openings a year: 1,700
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 23 |
| Artistic (A) | 7 |
| Social (S) | 0 |
| Enterprising (E) | 16 |
| Conventional (C) | 44 |

## What you'd do

- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 81/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 79/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 78/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 76/100)
- Getting Information (importance 76/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 69/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 69/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 67/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 67/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 64/100)

## Skills

Operation and Control, Active Listening, Coordination, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Operations Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Speaking

## Knowledge

Mechanical, Public Safety and Security, Production and Processing, Customer and Personal Service, Administration and Management, Design, English Language, Education and Training, Building and Construction, Engineering and Technology

## Also called

Acrobatic Rigger, Boat Rigger, Certified Rigger, Crane Rigger, Fly Rail Operator, Gantry Rigger, Gear Repairer, Grip, Hand Rigger, Heavy Lift Rigger

## Related careers

- [Hoist and Winch Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/hoist-and-winch-operators): $56,450 median pay
- [Crane and Tower Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/crane-and-tower-operators): $68,080 median pay
- [Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mobile-heavy-equipment-mechanics-except-engines): $65,510 median pay
- [Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/industrial-truck-and-tractor-operators): $46,420 median pay
- [Millwrights](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/millwrights): $65,700 median pay
- [Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/aircraft-structure-surfaces-rigging-and-systems-assemblers): $65,380 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.