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How to hire a rigger

Rigger hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring riggers in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a rigger is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per rigger on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 16,789 riggers in the US and 426 job openings.
  • San Diego, CA, has the highest demand for riggers, with 9 job openings.
  • Houma, LA has the highest concentration of riggers.

How to hire a rigger, step by step

To hire a rigger, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a rigger, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step 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 rigger job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new rigger
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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.

Learn more about the specifics of what a rigger does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the rigger you need to hire. Certain rigger roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A rigger's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, riggers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

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

    Type of RiggerDescriptionHourly rate
    Rigger$13-28
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Cranes
    • Hand Tools
    • Hoisting
    • Pulleys
    • Ladders
    • Slings
    • Booms
    • Safety Rules
    • Hoists
    • NCCER
    • Fall Protection
    • Dismantle
    • PPE
    • Control Movement
    Check all skills
    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.
    More rigger duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the rigger job description is a good way to get more applicants. A rigger salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a rigger in Connecticut may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level rigger. Additionally, a rigger with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average rigger salary

    $41,723yearly

    $20.06 hourly rate

    Entry-level rigger salary
    $28,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 14, 2025

    Average rigger salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$54,609$26
    2Washington$47,625$23
    3Missouri$41,951$20
    4Minnesota$40,506$19
    5Oklahoma$40,383$19
    6Virginia$40,013$19
    7Florida$38,250$18
    8Texas$37,763$18
    9New York$37,227$18
    10Kansas$36,849$18
    11North Carolina$35,591$17
    12Colorado$35,109$17
    13Tennessee$33,156$16
    14South Carolina$31,011$15
    15Rhode Island$29,478$14
    16Louisiana$28,750$14

    Average rigger salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Naughty Dog$66,560$32.00
    2ZeniMax Media$65,417$31.45
    3Brookhaven National Laboratory$65,168$31.33
    4Jacobs Engineering Group$56,412$27.12
    5Textron$53,590$25.76
    6McDermott International$53,018$25.49
    7Steel Dynamics$52,826$25.403
    8Burns & McDonnell$52,620$25.301
    9Wanzek Construction$52,504$25.24
    10SpaceX$52,476$25.23
    11General Dynamics$51,213$24.626
    12Zachry Group$50,654$24.353
    13Kinder Morgan$49,986$24.03
    14MasTec$49,790$23.942
    15TIC Holdings Inc$49,455$23.78
    16danos$48,166$23.16
    17Kiewit$48,159$23.15
    18HKA Enterprises$48,104$23.13
    19The University of Kansas Health System$46,796$22.50
    20Future$46,287$22.25
  4. Writing a rigger job description

    A good rigger job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a rigger job description:

    Rigger job description example

    Master Rigger 1st, 2nd and 3rd class levels are based on proficiency, knowledge, skills and abilities. This job description applies to all positions listed below:


    • LDS


    Duties and responsibilities

    (Duties and responsibilities, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is illustrative ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. It does not imply that all positions within the class perform all of the duties listed, nor does it necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned.)

    1. Plan, layout, assemble, repair and install complex weight handling gear and various standing and running rigging.

    2. Inspect fabricate, replace and turn standing rigging such as slings, tackle and ladders using hand and power tools.

    3. Have a thorough knowledge of rigging procedures and equipment

    1. Select gear; cables, pulleys and winches according to the load weight, size and work schedule.

    2. Aligns, levels and anchors machinery.

    3. Splices and ties rope to form netting, ladders and other rigging.

    4. Install hooks, swivels and turnbuckles in rigging, reeves lines through blocks

    4. Move ships engines, generators, turbines, pumps, boilers, motors structural shapes and plates

    5. Installs and inspects beam clamps, pad eyes, gallows frames and other supporting structures for rigging gear.

    6. Test gears for strength and safety

    7. Assists the drivers in the salvage work, move salvage equipment and raise objects to be salvaged

    8. Responsible to check with the superintendent in charge of the job to get the scope of the work on a daily basis.

    9. Be able to interpret drawings, specifications with regard to the job, order materials, and write reports to generate new work.

    10. Inspect all areas of the job for hazards and unsafe conditions; coordinate with the fire watch supervisor and fire watches to ensure it is safe in the areas where hot work is to be performed.

    11. Ensure that all safety rules are followed and all unsafe conditions are reported to the Safety Department.

    12. Assists other trades when required; works closely with regulatory bodies and gives a proper turnover to his/her relief.

    13. Ensures work areas are secure upon completion of assigned shift.

    14. Recognize and communicate any problems.

    15. Suggest and initiate personnel actions, such as promotions, transfers, hires and training requirements. Adhere to the company’s Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Policy when taking part in any employment action or decision, such as hiring, job assignment, layoff or termination.

    16. Communicate regularly about repair and maintenance needs on all major pieces of equipment on assigned jobs.



    Competencies

    1. Technical Capacity.

    2. Communication Proficiency.

    3. Problem Solving/Analysis.

    4. Initiative.

    5. Results Driven.

    6. Thoroughness.

    Work Environment

    Work is regularly performed in outside weather conditions, including rain and extreme heat, near moving mechanical parts and includes occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions and to vibration.

    Physical Demands

    The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

    The employee is required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 70 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

    Position Type/ Expected Hours of Work

    This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. This position periodically requires long hours and weekend work. Regular and predictable on-site attendance is an essential function and a prerequisite to perform other essential functions of the position.

    Travel

    Travel is primarily local during the business day, although periodic out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.

    Required Education and Experience

    1. High school degree or equivalent.

    Preferred Education or Experience

    Education based on requirements that are job-related and consistent with the business necessity.

    1. Experience in a Shipyard/ Military setting.

    Additional Eligibility Qualifications

    1. DBIDS card


    AAP/EEO Statement

    Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and continues to be, a fundamental principle at Lyon Shipyard, Inc. It is the company's policy that opportunities be available to all persons without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, citizenship status, or any other category protected under state or local law. This policy applies to employees and applicants and to all phases of employment including hiring, promotion, demotion, and treatment during employment, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and termination of employment.

    Lyon Shipyard is proud to be a drug free workplace.

    Other Duties

    Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.


  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right rigger for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your rigger job on Zippia to find and recruit rigger candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit riggers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    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 rigger

    Once you have selected a candidate for the rigger position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    To prepare for the new 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.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a rigger?

There are different types of costs for hiring riggers. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new rigger employee.

You can expect to pay around $41,723 per year for a rigger, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for riggers in the US typically range between $13 and $28 an hour.

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