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Millwright vs rigger

The differences between millwrights and riggers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a millwright has an average salary of $51,176, which is higher than the $41,723 average annual salary of a rigger.

The top three skills for a millwright include hand tools, hoists and dismantle. The most important skills for a rigger are cranes, hand tools, and hoisting.

Millwright vs rigger overview

MillwrightRigger
Yearly salary$51,176$41,723
Hourly rate$24.60$20.06
Growth rate14%-
Number of jobs102,942426
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 50%
Average age4940
Years of experience6-

What does a millwright do?

A millwright is responsible for maintaining and operating machinery from necessary to advanced systems. Millwrights install and upgrade machine components for optimization through analyzing blueprints and specifications. They calibrate machinery and run diagnostic tests to ensure all equipment's high-quality performance for safe and smooth operations. A millwright must adhere to the workplace's safety procedures all the time to prevent hazards and delays. A millwright must have a broad knowledge of the technical and mechanical industry to set up equipment and repair defective machines.

What does a rigger do?

A rigger is a worker whose task is to set up, maintain or repair rigging in construction projects in industrial or manufacturing plants. Riggers install machinery and make sure that it is in place. They use pulleys, ropes, or any other tool to be able to move heavy objects. Some of their duties include the attachment of loads of equipment to structures or cranes through cables, clamps, chains, and shackles. They also perform quick calculations, which are important for engineering principles and loads.

Millwright vs rigger salary

Millwrights and riggers have different pay scales, as shown below.

MillwrightRigger
Average salary$51,176$41,723
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $72,000Between $28,000 And $60,000
Highest paying CityLincoln, CALos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateNevadaCalifornia
Best paying companyCVR EnergyNaughty Dog
Best paying industryFinance-

Differences between millwright and rigger education

There are a few differences between a millwright and a rigger in terms of educational background:

MillwrightRigger
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 50%
Most common majorPrecision Metal WorkingBusiness
Most common college--

Millwright vs rigger demographics

Here are the differences between millwrights' and riggers' demographics:

MillwrightRigger
Average age4940
Gender ratioMale, 96.6% Female, 3.4%Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 1.1% White, 81.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 16.2% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 2.4% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage2%11%

Differences between millwright and rigger duties and responsibilities

Millwright example responsibilities.

  • Used cranes, fork trucks, hoist pulleys, dollies and rollers to complete job properly and effectively.
  • Transport machine parts, tools, equipment and other material between work areas and storage using cranes, hoists or dollies.
  • Operate machine tools such as lathes and grinders to fabricate parts require during overhaul, maintenance or set-up of machinery.
  • Advance drafting and cnc programming.
  • Assign to FCC maintenance team.
  • Design and fabricate machinery moving dollies.
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Rigger example 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.
  • Align, level, and anchor machinery, dismantle.
  • Crane ops and tuggers used to install spool pieces.
  • Show more

Millwright vs rigger skills

Common millwright skills
  • Hand Tools, 15%
  • Hoists, 8%
  • Dismantle, 8%
  • Work Ethic, 5%
  • Cranes, 4%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%
Common rigger skills
  • Cranes, 14%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Hoisting, 9%
  • Pulleys, 9%
  • Ladders, 7%
  • Slings, 7%

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