Rigger vs signalman

The differences between riggers and signalmen can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a signalman has an average salary of $51,593, which is higher than the $41,723 average annual salary of a rigger.

The top three skills for a rigger include cranes, hand tools and hoisting. The most important skills for a signalman are CDL, switches, and FRA.

Rigger vs signalman overview

	Rigger	Signalman
Yearly salary	$41,723	$51,593
Hourly rate	$20.06	$24.80
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	426	272
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 32%
Average age	40	24
Years of experience	-	-

Rigger vs signalman salary

Riggers and signalmen have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Rigger	Signalman
Average salary	$41,723	$51,593
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $60,000	Between $24,000 And $108,000
Highest paying City	Los Angeles, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Naughty Dog	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between rigger and signalman education

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

	Rigger	Signalman
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 32%
Most common major	Business	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	-	-

Rigger vs signalman demographics

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

	Rigger	Signalman
Average age	40	24
Gender ratio	Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%	Male, 93.7% Female, 6.3%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 14.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	11%	4%

Differences between rigger and signalman 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.

Signalman example responsibilities.

Manage life threatening psychiatric emergencies and refer military and families to in-patient and out-patient network providers and provide supportive EAP counseling.
Drive cdl boom truck, bucket truck, and regular pickup truck with trailer to job sites.
Operate backhoes and trenchers for laying cable.
Rig ship's gangway, booms, and fueling and cargo stations.
Operate cranes, backhoes and trenchers to install cable and wayside devices.
Dig in cable, set signal houses, set signals and test as needed.

Rigger vs signalman skills

Common rigger skills

Cranes, 14%
Hand Tools, 9%
Hoisting, 9%
Pulleys, 9%
Ladders, 7%
Slings, 7%

Common signalman skills

CDL, 26%
Switches, 11%
FRA, 9%
Grade Crossings, 6%
Visual Communications, 4%
DIG, 4%

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Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
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Rigger vs Signalman

Updated January 8, 2025

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