How much does a rigger make?
The median rigger in the United States earns $62,060 per year, about $29.84 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all riggers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 49-9096.
Rigger salary range
Pay for riggers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,930 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $100,480. The average (mean) wage of $66,600 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,930 | $18.71 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,940 | $23.05 | |
| Median (50th) | $62,060 | $29.84 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $79,340 | $38.14 | |
| 90th percentile | $100,480 | $48.31 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for riggers (SOC 49-9096), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Rigger salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Riggers earn the most in New York at $103,230 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $38,370. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $103,230 | 880 |
| Maryland | $91,730 | 380 |
| Utah | $91,070 | 480 |
| Oregon | $89,770 | 350 |
| California | $83,320 | 3,470 |
| Idaho | $82,250 | 90 |
| Hawaii | $80,180 | 190 |
| Nevada | $77,960 | 590 |
| North Dakota | $76,980 | 110 |
| Washington | $75,750 | 900 |
| Missouri | $75,480 | 340 |
| Massachusetts | $74,560 | 270 |
| Colorado | $72,360 | 400 |
| South Dakota | $72,330 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $68,840 | 290 |
| New Mexico | $67,910 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $67,500 | 280 |
| Illinois | $67,420 | 190 |
| Maine | $63,340 | 340 |
| Connecticut | $63,270 | 360 |
| West Virginia | $62,730 | 40 |
| Virginia | $62,140 | 2,030 |
| Iowa | $61,880 | 110 |
| Mississippi | $61,860 | 320 |
| Georgia | $61,560 | 570 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,410 | 300 |
| New Jersey | $60,050 | 150 |
| Kentucky | $59,740 | 80 |
| Nebraska | $59,530 | 160 |
| Michigan | $59,370 | 260 |
| North Carolina | $55,650 | 290 |
| Texas | $51,890 | 3,890 |
| Arizona | $50,340 | 270 |
| Tennessee | $50,280 | 200 |
| Florida | $49,770 | 1,130 |
| Wyoming | $48,880 | 40 |
| Ohio | $47,590 | 180 |
| Indiana | $47,580 | 270 |
| South Carolina | $46,280 | 430 |
| Arkansas | $46,140 | 120 |
| Oklahoma | $45,290 | 420 |
| Kansas | $43,770 | 100 |
| Alabama | $41,550 | 250 |
| Louisiana | $38,370 | 2,270 |
State median wages for riggers (SOC 49-9096), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for riggers
The BLS projects employment of riggers to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 22,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 23,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,700 openings a year for riggers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a rigger
The typical entry-level education for riggers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a rigger earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New York, $103,230) and the lowest (Louisiana, $38,370) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 24,190 people work as riggers in the United States. At $62,060 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Rigger salary FAQ
How much does a rigger make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a rigger is $29.84. The middle half of riggers earn between $23.05 and $38.14 per hour.
What is the highest rigger salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of riggers earn more than $100,480 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a rigger make a year?
The median annual salary for a rigger is $62,060. The average (mean) wage of $66,600 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a rigger a well paid job?
At $62,060 a year, a rigger earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 24,190 people work as riggers in the United States.
Which state pays riggers the most?
New York has the highest median salary for riggers at $103,230 a year. Maryland ($91,730) and Utah ($91,070) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a rigger a good career?
Employment of riggers is projected to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a rigger?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for riggers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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