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Skilled Trades

Riggers

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

Median salary (BLS)

$62,640

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$41k – $98k

Job outlook

+3% (about average)

AI exposure

Plan a path to Riggers

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Riggers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Riggers

    Entry / Junior

    $40,680

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Riggers

    Established

    $62,640

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Riggers

    Senior

    $80,245

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Test rigging to ensure safety and reliability.
  • •Signal or verbally direct workers engaged in hoisting and moving loads to ensure safety of workers and materials.
  • •Control movement of heavy equipment through narrow openings or confined spaces, using chainfalls, gin poles, gallows frames, and other equipment.
  • •Tilt, dip, and turn suspended loads to maneuver over, under, or around obstacles, using multi-point suspension techniques.
  • •Select gear, such as cables, pulleys, and winches, according to load weights and sizes, facilities, and work schedules.

Fields of study

Any field

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