How to hire a parachute rigger

How to hire a parachute rigger, step by step

Here's a step-by-step parachute rigger hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a parachute rigger job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new parachute rigger
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a parachute rigger, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a parachute rigger to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a parachute rigger that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of parachute riggers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Parachute Rigger	Description	Hourly rate
   Parachute Rigger		$11-45
   Rigger	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... Show more	$13-28

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Extraction
   • Parachutes
   • Survival Equipment
   • Oxygen Equipment
   • FAA
   • Combat
   • Safety Equipment
   • Airdrop Operations
   • Halo
   • Technical Guidance
   • Drop Zone
   • Air Delivery
   • JAN
   • US Army

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Test and install extraction and release systems; and at prescribe intervals to determine serviceability.
   • Load supply bundles and configure them for aerial drops into combat zones.
   • Script GUI and other specific tools to help during the rigging process using python and C++ in Maya.
   • Assemble airdrop platform, cushioning materials, cargo, extraction and personnel parachute along with other airdrop relate equipment.
   • Perform safety briefing for each combat support team for jumping by raising awareness about work area and environmental hazards.
   • Move machinery and equipment, using hoists, dollies, rollers, jacks, verse lifts, and trucks.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your parachute rigger job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A parachute rigger can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, parachute riggers' average salary in wyoming is 43% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level parachute riggers 74% less than senior-level parachute riggers.
   • Certifications. A parachute rigger with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a parachute rigger's salary.

   Average parachute rigger salary

   $47,761yearly

   $22.96 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level parachute rigger salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 24, 2025

4. Writing a parachute rigger job description

   A job description for a parachute rigger role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a parachute rigger job description:

   Parachute rigger job description example

   Take your skills to new heights as a Parachute Rigger in the Army National Guard. You will be responsible for the safety of the men, women, and equipment that are using the parachutes you pack. This requires incredible attention to detail, as chutes of varying sizes must be precisely packed and maintained. In addition to packing chutes, you will take responsibility for maintaining the materials of the chute as well. This includes patching, sewing, and storage of the chutes, packs, and web gear.
   
   Did we mention that you'll be jumping too? To test your chute-packing abilities, you'll be required to jump in a chute you packed yourself. But don't worry! Your training, which includes airborne jump training, will fully prepare you for the adventure.
   Rig supplies, equipment, and vehicles for airdrop
   Perform technical, routine, and in-storage rigger-type inspection on cargo, extraction, and personnel parachutes, as well as other airdrop equipment before, during, and after each use
   Inventory, clean, receive, store, and issue all airdrop equipment used in airdrop operations
   Use and maintain machines and tools for fabrication, modification and repair to parachutes and other airdrop equipment
   Inspect, test, and install extraction and release systems
   
   Some of the Skills You'll Learn
   Maintenance of air-sea rescue equipment
   Repair of inflatable rafts and other survival equipment
   
   Helpful Skills
   Knowledge of shop mechanics and science
   High attention to detail
   Interest in contributing to the safety of others
   
   Through your training, you will develop the skills and experience to enjoy a civilian career with parachute rigging and supply companies, commercial parachuting schools, some government agencies, and survival equipment manufacturing firms.
   
   Earn While You Learn
   Instead of paying to learn these skills, get paid to train. In the Army National Guard, you will learn these valuable job skills while earning a regular paycheck and qualifying for tuition assistance.
   
   Job training for a Parachute Rigger consists of 10 weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 16 weeks of Advanced Individual Training. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field.
   
   Benefits/Requirements
   
   Benefits
   Paid training A monthly paycheck Montgomery GI Bill Federal and State tuition assistance Retirement benefits for part-time service Low-cost life insurance (up to $400,000 in coverage) 401(k)-type savings plan Student Loan Repayment Program (up to $50,000, for existing loans) Health care benefits available VA home loans Bonuses, if applicable Most non-prior service candidates will earn between $200 and $250 per drill weekend, subject to change
   Requirements Military enlistment in the Army National Guard Must be at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate Must be between the ages of 17 and 35 Must be able to pass a physical exam and meet legal and moral standards Must meet citizenship requirements (see NATIONALGUARD.com for details)
   
   Requires military enlistment. Programs and benefits are subject to change. Ask your Army National Guard recruiter for the most up-to-date information. Actual MOS assignment may depend on MOS availability.
   
   Other Job Information
   
   Job Category: Supply and Logistics
   Age Requirements: Must be between the ages of 17 and 35 smoke jumper skydiver sky diver parachutist helper assistant

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find parachute riggers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any parachute riggers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level parachute riggers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your parachute rigger job on Zippia to find and recruit parachute rigger candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with parachute rigger candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new parachute rigger

   Once you've selected the best parachute rigger candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new parachute rigger first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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