Riggers
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Sets up cables, pulleys, winches, and other gear to lift heavy equipment, ships, or theatrical sets, matching hardware to the load and site. Attaches loads and uses hoists and multi-point suspension to tilt and turn them through tight openings or around obstacles. Tests rigging before a lift, signals the crew during the move, then dismantles and stores the gear. Work takes place on construction sites, in plants and yards, on ships, and in entertainment venues, often in confined spaces. Suits people who like crew coordination, close watch on moving loads, and careful choices about gear.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$62'640
Median Wage Market Position
$62'640
What you might do
- Attach loads to cables and hoists
- Steer hanging loads around obstacles
- Signal the crew during lifts
- Choose cables and pulleys for each load
- Test rigging before anyone uses it
- Take down and store gear after jobs
Skills that matter
- Choosing cables and winches by load
- Signaling hoist crews for safe lifts
- Guiding loads through tight openings
- Tilting loads around obstacles in air
- Checking rigging before each lift
- Reviewing weights, sizes, and work schedules
AI & the future of this role
Setting and repairing load-bearing rigging for construction, ships, or entertainment involves precise hands-on work and safety judgment under liability. Design tools may assist with load calculations, yet the physical setup and on-site decisions are likely to stay with experienced crews.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details