How To Become A Rig Hand: What It Is and Career Path

What is a rig hand and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

In assembly plants, shipyards, logging stations, construction sites, and film kits, Rig Handlers set up and restore rigging. They are responsible for the machinery's orientation and anchorage, the attachment of charges, the motion control of heavy equipment, and the rigging protection. Before loading, you would need to plan the supplies as a Rig Handler, mount the rigging equipment, operate heavy equipment, and dismantle rigging after loading.

Additionally, You will have to speak to the rigging team to ensure compliance with national legislation on health and safety. If you want to achieve effectiveness as a Rig Handler, you should have comprehensive knowledge of rigging tools, exceptional space sensitivity, and leadership skills. A professional Rig Handler is discreetly organized and is constantly mindful of the condition of the building site. Standard Rig Handlers make up to a yearly salary of $34,680; however, roughnecks can make up to $51,550 per year.

ScoreRig HandUS Average

Salary

2.6

Avg. Salary $33,851

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.6

Growth rate 1%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.26%

Asian 1.20%

Black or African American 7.28%

Hispanic or Latino 19.97%

Unknown 4.21%

White 65.08%

Gender

female 3.32%

male 96.68%

Age - 39

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 - 39

Stress level

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

1.8

Work life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a rig hand

Explore rig hand education requirements

Most common rig hand degrees

High School Diploma

59.9 %

Associate

11.9 %

Diploma

11.9 %

Start to develop specific rig hand skills

Skills	Percentages
Tongs	19.72%
CDL	15.63%
H2S	10.73%
CPR	6.51%
Flow Lines	6.12%

Research rig hand duties and responsibilities

Manage and perform rig operations, repair large mud pump motors, hoppers, shakers, generators, valves and agitators.
Complete OSHA 10 and H2S certifications.
Maintain current OSHA and CDL license.
Wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE).

Prepare your rig hand resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your rig hand 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 rig hand resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable rig hand resume templates

Build a professional rig hand 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 rig hand resume.