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The average salary for a rigger in the United States is $41,723 per year, translating to approximately $20 per hour. Salaries can differ significantly based on various factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and specific industry demands. For instance, riggers working in construction or maritime sectors may see higher wages due to the specialized skills required.
States such as Alaska, Washington, and California frequently offer the highest salaries for riggers. In these regions, the demand for skilled riggers is driven by robust industrial activity and ongoing infrastructure projects. Additionally, riggers with certifications or specialized training often command greater compensation.
As with many professions, experience plays a critical role in salary progression. Entry-level riggers may start at lower wages, but with additional experience and expertise, earnings can increase significantly. Moreover, staying updated with industry standards and safety regulations can enhance job prospects and salary potential.
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The average rigger salary in California, Alaska, and Hawaii are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average rigger salary states are Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Louisiana.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utah | $46,563 | $22.39 |
| 2 | Washington | $47,422 | $22.80 |
| 3 | California | $54,607 | $26.25 |
| 4 | Arizona | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| 5 | Mississippi | $41,138 | $19.78 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $46,732 | $22.47 |
| 7 | Alaska | $51,040 | $24.54 |
| 8 | Nebraska | $43,093 | $20.72 |
| 9 | Montana | $42,685 | $20.52 |
| 10 | Idaho | $43,673 | $21.00 |
| 11 | Missouri | $41,676 | $20.04 |
| 12 | Oregon | $44,273 | $21.29 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $39,582 | $19.03 |
| 14 | Virginia | $40,201 | $19.33 |
| 15 | Oklahoma | $40,084 | $19.27 |
| 16 | South Dakota | $40,617 | $19.53 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | $40,763 | $19.60 |
| 18 | Indiana | $38,745 | $18.63 |
| 19 | Wyoming | $40,509 | $19.48 |
| 20 | Texas | $38,077 | $18.31 |
| 21 | Hawaii | $50,130 | $24.10 |
| 22 | Minnesota | $40,461 | $19.45 |
| 23 | Alabama | $36,081 | $17.35 |
| 24 | New Mexico | $38,838 | $18.67 |
| 25 | Iowa | $37,779 | $18.16 |
| 26 | Kansas | $36,796 | $17.69 |
| 27 | Maine | $34,591 | $16.63 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| 29 | Illinois | $37,917 | $18.23 |
| 30 | Nevada | $35,373 | $17.01 |
| 31 | West Virginia | $33,244 | $15.98 |
| 32 | New Jersey | $38,774 | $18.64 |
| 33 | Florida | $36,081 | $17.35 |
| 34 | Michigan | $36,609 | $17.60 |
| 35 | New York | $38,468 | $18.49 |
| 36 | Colorado | $35,277 | $16.96 |
| 37 | Georgia | $32,988 | $15.86 |
| 38 | Ohio | $33,995 | $16.34 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $34,147 | $16.42 |
| 40 | Rhode Island | $29,219 | $14.05 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $33,372 | $16.04 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $31,036 | $14.92 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $28,984 | $13.93 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $32,362 | $15.56 |
| 45 | Connecticut | $29,890 | $14.37 |
| 46 | Delaware | $30,637 | $14.73 |
| 47 | Maryland | $30,044 | $14.44 |
| 48 | District of Columbia | $29,877 | $14.36 |
| 49 | New Hampshire | $27,455 | $13.20 |
| 50 | Massachusetts | $28,438 | $13.67 |
| 51 | Vermont | $26,665 | $12.82 |
The highest-paying cities for riggers are Los Angeles, CA, Bremerton, WA, and Kansas City, MO.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $54,609 | $26.25 |
| 2 | Bremerton, WA | $47,625 | $22.90 |
| 3 | Kansas City, MO | $41,951 | $20.17 |
| 4 | Bloomington, MN | $40,506 | $19.47 |
| 5 | Oklahoma City, OK | $40,383 | $19.41 |
| 6 | Newport News, VA | $40,013 | $19.24 |
| 7 | Pensacola, FL | $38,250 | $18.39 |
| 8 | Garland, TX | $37,763 | $18.16 |
| 9 | Cheektowaga, NY | $37,227 | $17.90 |
| 10 | Wichita, KS | $36,849 | $17.72 |
| 11 | Raleigh, NC | $35,591 | $17.11 |
| 12 | Colorado Springs, CO | $35,109 | $16.88 |
| 13 | Knoxville, TN | $33,156 | $15.94 |
| 14 | Columbia, SC | $31,011 | $14.91 |
| 15 | North Kingstown, RI | $29,478 | $14.17 |
| 16 | New Orleans, LA | $28,750 | $13.82 |
A rigger's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $60,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $60,000 | $5,000 | $29 |
| 75th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| Average | $41,723 | $3,477 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
Top companies hiring riggers now:
Rigger salaries at Naughty Dog and ZeniMax Media are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average rigger salary at companies like Brookhaven National Laboratory and Jacobs Engineering Group are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naughty Dog | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| 2 | ZeniMax Media | $65,417 | $31.45 |
| 3 | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $65,168 | $31.33 |
| 4 | Jacobs Engineering Group | $56,412 | $27.12 |
| 5 | Textron | $53,590 | $25.76 |
| 6 | McDermott International | $53,018 | $25.49 |
| 7 | Steel Dynamics | $52,826 | $25.40 |
| 8 | Burns & McDonnell | $52,620 | $25.30 |
| 9 | Wanzek Construction | $52,504 | $25.24 |
| 10 | SpaceX | $52,476 | $25.23 |
| 11 | General Dynamics | $51,213 | $24.62 |
| 12 | Zachry Group | $50,654 | $24.35 |
| 13 | Kinder Morgan | $49,986 | $24.03 |
| 14 | MasTec | $49,790 | $23.94 |
| 15 | TIC Holdings Inc | $49,455 | $23.78 |
| 16 | danos | $48,166 | $23.16 |
| 17 | Kiewit | $48,159 | $23.15 |
| 18 | HKA Enterprises | $48,104 | $23.13 |
| 19 | The University of Kansas Health System | $46,796 | $22.50 |
| 20 | Future | $46,287 | $22.25 |
The average rigger salary has risen by $6,425 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average rigger earned $35,298 annually, but today, they earn $41,723 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for riggers over the last decade.
Compare rigger salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare rigger salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $41,700 | $20.06 | -0.0% |
| 2024 | $41,700 | $20.06 | +1.0% |
| 2023 | $41,300 | $19.87 | +3.6% |
| 2022 | $39,900 | $19.16 | +5.9% |
| 2021 | $37,500 | $18.02 | +5.4% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potential With Quanex | Flat Rigger 1St. Shift | Chehalis, WA | 06/28/2025 | $37,566 |
| Precision Custom Components, LLC | Rigger Trainee-2Nd Shift | York, PA | 06/27/2025 | $51,445 |
| Quanex Building Products Corporation | Flat Rigger 1St. Shift | Chehalis, WA | 06/26/2025 | $37,566 |
| Nbcuniversal | Dreamworks Feature-Character Rigger | Glendale, CA | 06/24/2025 | $78,312 |
| LPR Construction Company | Rigger | Lexington, KY | 06/22/2025 | $66,784 |
| Msccn | Rigger (2ND Shift) | San Diego, CA | 06/22/2025 | $59,800 |
| Mastec Inc. | Certified Rigger Journeyman | Boise, ID | 06/21/2025 | $79,306 |
| Aerotek | Mechanical Rigger | Ocala, FL | 06/21/2025 | $34,436 |
| Aerotek | Rigger | Glenvar, VA | 06/21/2025 | $45,914 |
| CC-OPS | CDL Rigger-Transportation Services | Enid, OK | 06/20/2025 | $41,740 |
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