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Heavy lift rigger salary
Average heavy lift rigger salary
$37,204
Understanding Heavy Lift Rigger Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Heavy Lift Rigger stands at around $37,204 annually, or about $18 per hour. Salaries vary widely based on factors such as geographic location, industry, and individual experience. For instance, states like Alaska and Texas often offer higher wages due to the demand in sectors like oil and construction.
Where Can You Earn More?
In addition to state variations, the city you work in can significantly impact your salary. Major urban areas typically provide better compensation due to a higher cost of living and increased demand for skilled labor. For example, cities like Houston and Los Angeles tend to offer higher salaries for Heavy Lift Riggers, reflecting their robust construction industries.
Advancement Opportunities
Heavy Lift Riggers can enhance their earning potential by gaining additional certifications or specialized skills. Many employers value expertise in safety standards and advanced rigging techniques, which can lead to supervisory roles and higher pay. Continuous training and education in the field not only improve job prospects but also increase the potential for salary growth in this essential profession.
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Where can a Heavy Lift Rigger earn more?
Average heavy lift rigger salary by state
The average heavy lift rigger salary in Alaska, New York, and New Jersey are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average heavy lift rigger salary states are Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for heavy lift riggers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $51,848 | $24.93 |
| 2 | Maine | $42,750 | $20.55 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $41,626 | $20.01 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $44,638 | $21.46 |
| 5 | Virginia | $40,189 | $19.32 |
| 6 | Washington | $39,714 | $19.09 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | $37,431 | $18.00 |
| 8 | New York | $45,106 | $21.69 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $44,989 | $21.63 |
| 10 | California | $42,980 | $20.66 |
| 11 | Montana | $33,321 | $16.02 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $34,621 | $16.64 |
| 13 | Michigan | $36,538 | $17.57 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $36,279 | $17.44 |
| 15 | Utah | $33,370 | $16.04 |
| 16 | South Dakota | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| 17 | Oregon | $36,505 | $17.55 |
| 18 | Nebraska | $32,555 | $15.65 |
| 19 | Arizona | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| 20 | Vermont | $32,782 | $15.76 |
| 21 | Minnesota | $36,382 | $17.49 |
| 22 | Idaho | $32,591 | $15.67 |
| 23 | Connecticut | $36,191 | $17.40 |
| 24 | Indiana | $32,989 | $15.86 |
| 25 | Delaware | $34,338 | $16.51 |
| 26 | West Virginia | $31,060 | $14.93 |
| 27 | Iowa | $30,718 | $14.77 |
| 28 | Massachusetts | $35,728 | $17.18 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $30,912 | $14.86 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $29,359 | $14.11 |
| 31 | Ohio | $32,162 | $15.46 |
| 32 | Illinois | $33,166 | $15.95 |
| 33 | Maryland | $32,597 | $15.67 |
| 34 | Georgia | $28,619 | $13.76 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $27,615 | $13.28 |
| 36 | Nevada | $27,878 | $13.40 |
| 37 | Missouri | $31,302 | $15.05 |
| 38 | Hawaii | $35,320 | $16.98 |
| 39 | Mississippi | $30,137 | $14.49 |
| 40 | Alabama | $26,853 | $12.91 |
| 41 | Kansas | $27,177 | $13.07 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $27,812 | $13.37 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $29,173 | $14.03 |
| 44 | Colorado | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| 45 | District of Columbia | $31,912 | $15.34 |
| 46 | Texas | $26,377 | $12.68 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $21,272 | $10.23 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $25,572 | $12.29 |
| 49 | Florida | $26,302 | $12.65 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $25,244 | $12.14 |
| 51 | Tennessee | $25,366 | $12.20 |
Highest paying cities for heavy lift riggers
The highest-paying cities for heavy lift riggers are Santa Rosa, CA, Philadelphia, PA, and Salem, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa, CA | $45,975 | $22.10 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $45,240 | $21.75 |
| 3 | Salem, MA | $35,361 | $17.00 |
| 4 | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | $35,018 | $16.84 |
| 5 | Romeoville, IL | $33,006 | $15.87 |
| 6 | Greensboro, NC | $31,415 | $15.10 |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $31,387 | $15.09 |
| 8 | Spartanburg, SC | $27,992 | $13.46 |
| 9 | San Antonio, TX | $26,687 | $12.83 |
| 10 | Orlando, FL | $26,481 | $12.73 |
Heavy lift rigger salary details
A heavy lift rigger's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $61,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a heavy lift rigger's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $61,000 | $5,083 | $29 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23 |
| Average | $37,204 | $3,100 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
Highest paying heavy lift rigger jobs
The highest paying types of heavy lift riggers are rigger apprentice, slinger, and boat rigger.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigger | $41,723 | $3,477 | $20.06 | 426 |
Top companies hiring heavy lift riggers now:
Which companies pay heavy lift riggers the most?
Heavy lift rigger salaries at Rich Products and HKA Enterprises are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average heavy lift rigger salary at companies like Guy M. Turner, Inc. and Workbox Staffing are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rich Products | $45,935 | $22.08 |
| 2 | HKA Enterprises | $41,205 | $19.81 |
| 3 | Guy M. Turner, Inc. | $38,491 | $18.51 |
| 4 | Workbox Staffing | $34,106 | $16.40 |
| 5 | Kelly Services | $33,701 | $16.20 |
| 6 | ManpowerGroup | $33,415 | $16.06 |
| 7 | Debbie's Staffing | $33,103 | $15.91 |
| 8 | Randstad North America, Inc. | $32,216 | $15.49 |
| 9 | Associated Materials Group, Inc. | $32,183 | $15.47 |
| 10 | Caliper Family of Companies | $30,184 | $14.51 |
| 11 | Adecco | $29,589 | $14.23 |
| 12 | Staffmark | $29,098 | $13.99 |
| 13 | Smithfield Foods | $28,623 | $13.76 |
| 14 | Alkar Human Resources | $28,282 | $13.60 |
| 15 | First Option Recruiting | $25,824 | $12.42 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Heavy Lift Rigger salary by industry
The average heavy lift rigger salary varies across industries:
- The average heavy lift rigger salary in the transportation industry is $45,032, the highest of any industry.
- The average heavy lift rigger salary in the finance industry is $37,621.
- Heavy lift riggers in the agriculture industry earn an average salary of $31,264, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for heavy lift riggers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation | $45,032 | $21.65 |
| 2 | Manufacturing | $37,621 | $18.09 |
| 3 | Retail | $32,325 | $15.54 |
| 4 | Agriculture | $31,264 | $15.03 |
High paying heavy lift rigger jobs
Heavy lift rigger salary trends
The average heavy lift rigger salary has risen by $5,729 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average heavy lift rigger earned $31,475 annually, but today, they earn $37,204 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for heavy lift riggers over the last decade.
Compare heavy lift rigger salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average heavy lift rigger salary over time
Compare heavy lift rigger salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Heavy lift rigger salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $37,200 | $17.89 | -0.0% |
| 2025 | $37,200 | $17.89 | +1.0% |
| 2024 | $36,900 | $17.72 | +3.6% |
| 2023 | $35,500 | $17.09 | +5.9% |
| 2022 | $33,400 | $16.07 | +5.4% |
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