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Rigger vs scaffold builder

The differences between riggers and scaffold builders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a rigger has an average salary of $41,723, which is higher than the $35,560 average annual salary of a scaffold builder.

The top three skills for a rigger include cranes, hand tools and hoisting. The most important skills for a scaffold builder are scaffolding, ladders, and construction sites.

Rigger vs scaffold builder overview

RiggerScaffold Builder
Yearly salary$41,723$35,560
Hourly rate$20.06$17.10
Growth rate-2%
Number of jobs4262,883
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age4042
Years of experience-4

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.

What does a scaffold builder do?

A scaffold builder assists construction workers by creating scaffold structures for them to reach points in a building and do their work, then later dismantle it when the job is done. They are fearless workers as they work on high rises and skyscrapers to build scaffolds for the building and construction crew to stand on while working.

Rigger vs scaffold builder salary

Riggers and scaffold builders have different pay scales, as shown below.

RiggerScaffold Builder
Average salary$41,723$35,560
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $60,000Between $25,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyNaughty Dog-
Best paying industry--

Differences between rigger and scaffold builder education

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

RiggerScaffold Builder
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Rigger vs scaffold builder demographics

Here are the differences between riggers' and scaffold builders' demographics:

RiggerScaffold Builder
Average age4042
Gender ratioMale, 95.7% Female, 4.3%Male, 93.7% Female, 6.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 30.1% Asian, 1.6% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage11%2%

Differences between rigger and scaffold builder duties and responsibilities

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.
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Scaffold builder example responsibilities.

  • Modify existing client websites with new HTML and CSS to achieve stakeholder requirements.
  • Dig ditches, backfill excavations.
  • Wear proper PPE for particular jobs (safety harness, SCBA, respirators, acid suits, etc . )
  • Assemble and disassemble metal scaffolding use by workers in petroleum refinery turnarounds and shutdowns (industrial maintenance-repair projects).
  • Skil dock building including pile driving and woodworking.
  • Front end loaders and excavators and shallow draft tugboats.
  • Show more

Rigger vs scaffold builder skills

Common rigger skills
  • Cranes, 14%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Hoisting, 9%
  • Pulleys, 9%
  • Ladders, 7%
  • Slings, 7%
Common scaffold builder skills
  • Scaffolding, 30%
  • Ladders, 15%
  • Construction Sites, 7%
  • NCCER, 5%
  • Safety Rules, 4%
  • Power Drills, 3%

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