How To Become A Rigger: What It Is and Career Path

What is a rigger and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Riggers are skilled tradesmen who work at construction or manufacturing sites, moving extra-heavy equipment and materials using rigs. This position requires a lot of responsibility, as the mishandling of rigs can cause serious damage.

As a rigger, you will have to prepare material to be moved, dismantling items, if necessary, and wrapping up pieces for safety reasons. You will use various rigging tools, which need to be set up and maintained. During the move, you have to control every detail and communicate accurately with team members assisting in the operation.

You will need a high school diploma and employers often look for candidates with experience in working outdoors and in industrial settings. This job is a physically demanding one, so you have to be fit to perform well. You will need a license to operate heavy machinery and have spatial awareness to correctly assess whether things that need to fit in certain spaces actually do.

ScoreRiggerUS Average

Salary

3.3

Avg. Salary $41,723

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

4.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.69%

Asian 2.39%

Black or African American 16.16%

Hispanic or Latino 17.40%

Unknown 7.41%

White 55.95%

Gender

female 4.30%

male 95.70%

Age - 38

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38

Stress Level

8.9

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

9.3

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

3.5

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a rigger

Explore rigger education requirements

Most common rigger degrees

High School Diploma

50.5 %

Bachelor's

15.4 %

Diploma

13.8 %

Start to develop specific rigger skills

Skills	Percentages
Cranes	14.35%
Hand Tools	9.38%
Hoisting	9.36%
Pulleys	8.84%
Ladders	6.99%

Complete relevant rigger training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New riggers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a rigger based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real rigger resumes.

Gain additional rigger certifications

Rigger certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific rigger certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for riggers include OSHA Safety Certificate and P.I.P.E.S. Rigger.

More About Certifications

Research rigger duties and responsibilities

Man air tuggers during lifts where cranes aren't capable of reaching.
Acquire CDL license with HAZMAT endorsement and receive extensive training in crane operation and proper handling/disposal of hazardous materials.
Execute the attachment of pulleys and blocks to fix overhead structures such as beams, and bulkheads using bolts and clamps.
Acquire CDL and hazmat license.

Prepare your rigger resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your rigger resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a rigger resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Rigger Resume templates

Build a professional Rigger resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Rigger resume.

Apply for rigger jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a rigger job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do riggers rate their job?