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.
Rigger responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real rigger resumes:
- 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.
- Climb and maintain balance on steel framework, stairs and ladders.
- Assemble and dismantle rigging equipment at the end of each shift.
- Pile driving in clusters for large ships to tie up to.
- Fill out daily equipment inspections and (JSA) job safety analysis, and use of PPE.
- Transport process chicken on pallets and in vats, to the cooler to be store till delivery.
- Manufacture nylon slings, twin path slings, poly round slings, nylon web slings and wire rope slings
- Operate a pallet jack to transport numerous heavy shipments to designate locations.
- Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs as necessary.
- Build wire rope and chain slings, also inspect and repair cables on tow trucks and roll up trucks.
Rigger skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Riggers are proficient in Cranes, Hand Tools, and Hoisting.
We break down the percentage of Riggers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Cranes, 14%
Aided in mobilization of crane counterweights and necessary equipment for specific jobs including securing of loads for truck transport
- Hand Tools, 9%
Assemble and install equipment, such as shafting, and conveyors, using hand tools and power tools.
- Hoisting, 9%
Directed co-workers engaged in hoisting of machinery and equipment into ships.
- Pulleys, 9%
Selected rigging cables, chains, pulleys, blocks, and sheaves, according to weight and size of load.
- Ladders, 7%
Install ladders, handrails, walkways, platforms and gangways.
- Slings, 7%
Worked above overhead Heights safely with harness to provide safe rigging using assigned slings and straps for pipe and equipment.
"cranes," "hand tools," and "hoisting" are among the most common skills that riggers use at work. You can find even more rigger responsibilities below, including:
The three companies that hire the most riggers are:
- TrueNet16 riggers jobs
- Cabela's11 riggers jobs
- Steel Dynamics10 riggers jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable rigger resume templates
Build a professional rigger resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your rigger resume.
Compare different riggers
Rigger vs. Fly rail operator
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, rigger responsibilities require skills like "cranes," "hand tools," "hoisting," and "pulleys." Meanwhile a typical fly rail operator has skills in areas such as "load-in," "laboratory equipment," "production schedules," and "in-process materials." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that fly rail operators earn slightly differ from riggers. In particular, fly rail operators are 15.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a rigger. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Rigger vs. Heavy lift rigger
Each career also uses different skills, according to real rigger resumes. While rigger responsibilities can utilize skills like "hand tools," "ladders," "slings," and "safety rules," heavy lift riggers use skills like "pallets," "assembly line," "rig," and "unload equipment."
Heavy lift riggers earn similar levels of education than riggers in general. They're 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Rigger vs. Machinery rigger
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from rigger resumes include skills like "hoisting," "pulleys," "ladders," and "slings," whereas a machinery rigger is more likely to list skills in "demolition," "power tools," "a-frame," and "mig. "
Machinery riggers typically earn similar educational levels compared to riggers. Specifically, they're 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Rigger vs. Slinger
Even though a few skill sets overlap between riggers and slingers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a rigger might have more use for skills like "cranes," "hand tools," "ladders," and "slings." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of slingers require skills like "food service," "food preparation," "disposal site," and "garbage truck. "
Slingers reach similar levels of education compared to riggers, in general. The difference is that they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Updated January 8, 2025
