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Offshore Rigger Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Tugboat Engineer

Long Beach, CA ยท On-site

$450 - $875/day

This position frequently requires long hours, weekend work, and offshore travel. WHO YOU ARE ... Physical dexterity and strength to catch and handle lines; makeup tows with wire rigging; operate ...

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Offshore Rigger information

See California salary details

$13

$25

$36

How much do offshore rigger jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for offshore rigger in California is $25.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.79 and $29.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do I become an offshore oil rigger?

To become an offshore oil rigger, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by specialized training or apprenticeships in rigging and safety procedures. Certifications such as Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) and First Aid are often required, along with physical fitness and the ability to work in challenging environments. Gaining experience in construction, welding, or heavy equipment operation can also improve job prospects in this field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Offshore Rigger, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Offshore Rigger, you need a solid understanding of rigging techniques, mechanical aptitude, and a valid offshore survival and rigging certification. Familiarity with lifting equipment, cranes, winches, and compliance with safety management systems like LOLER and HSE standards is typically required. Strong teamwork, communication, and situational awareness are key soft skills for ensuring safety and coordination in challenging offshore environments. These skills and qualifications are vital to safely execute complex lifting operations and prevent accidents on offshore platforms.

How much do offshore riggers get paid?

Offshore riggers typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, with experienced workers and those with specialized skills or certifications earning higher wages. Pay can vary based on location, employer, and the complexity of the rigging tasks performed, often including overtime and hazard pay due to the offshore environment.

What are some common challenges faced by Offshore Riggers and how can they be managed effectively?

Offshore Riggers often encounter challenges such as harsh weather conditions, strict safety protocols, and the need for effective communication within diverse teams. Managing these challenges requires a strong focus on teamwork, adaptability, and adherence to safety procedures. Regular training and clear communication with supervisors and colleagues help ensure tasks are completed safely and efficiently, while also fostering a supportive work environment. Staying proactive about learning and safety can make the role both safer and more rewarding.

What does an offshore rigger do?

An offshore rigger is responsible for installing, maintaining, and dismantling heavy equipment and structures in offshore environments, such as oil rigs or wind farms. They use cranes, hoists, and rigging tools, and must follow safety protocols and often hold certifications like OSHA or BOSIET. Their work involves working at heights and in challenging conditions, requiring physical strength and technical skills.

What is the highest paying rigger job?

The highest paying rigger jobs are typically in the oil and gas industry, offshore construction, or large-scale industrial projects, where specialized skills, certifications, and hazardous environment experience are required. These roles often offer higher wages due to the demanding conditions and technical expertise needed.

What are Offshore Riggers?

Offshore Riggers are specialized workers responsible for assembling, installing, and maintaining the rigging equipment used on offshore oil and gas platforms, ships, and other marine environments. Their job typically involves setting up cranes, hoists, pulleys, and other lifting devices to move heavy materials safely. Offshore Riggers ensure loads are secured properly, follow strict safety protocols, and often work in challenging conditions at sea. They play a vital role in supporting drilling, construction, and maintenance operations on offshore sites.

What Does an Offshore Rigger Do?

The job duties of an offshore rigger are to monitor, inspect, move, or operate heavy equipment and machinery on an oil rig. One offshore rigger may set up and monitor drill activities and move heavy equipment related to drilling and extraction. Another may inspect and maintain equipment to ensure safe operations. A marine rigger, who also works at sea, handles the rigging responsibilities on a ship. Other positions for an offshore rigger focus on laying cable on the ocean floor or performing maintenance on an existing oil rig.

What is the difference between Offshore Rigger vs Onshore Rigger?

AspectOffshore RiggerOnshore Rigger
Work EnvironmentMarine, oil rigs, offshore platformsConstruction sites, industrial facilities
CertificationsBasic Rigger, Basic Offshore Safety InductionBasic Rigger, OSHA certifications
Job DutiesAssembling, maintaining, and dismantling equipment on offshore platformsBuilding, installing, and maintaining structures on land
Industry UsageOil & gas, maritimeConstruction, manufacturing

Offshore Riggers work primarily on offshore platforms and oil rigs, requiring specialized safety certifications for marine environments. Onshore Riggers operate at land-based construction sites with different safety protocols. Both roles involve rigging and lifting operations but differ mainly in environment and specific safety requirements.

What are the most commonly searched types of Offshore Rigger jobs in California? The most popular types of Offshore Rigger jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Offshore Rigger jobs in California? For Offshore Rigger jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Offshore Rigger jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Offshore Rigger jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Offshore Rigger job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $53,405 per year, or $25.7 per hour.
Tugboat Engineer

Tugboat Engineer

Curtin Maritime

Long Beach, CA โ€ข On-site

$450 - $875/day

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Efficiency. Innovation. Integrity. These are our 3 Pillars. At Curtin Maritime, these core values are the framework for safe performance and operational excellence; proof of these pillars is evident in our people and our fleet. For 25 years, Curtin Maritime has been an industry leader in quality maritime solutions. We are a dynamic Marine Construction and Marine Transportation company experiencing rapid growth. Our team provides customers with a complete suite of maritime solutions, allowing us the incredible opportunity to work on unique projects in some of the most amazing places on earth.
THIS ROLE:
Engineers will work directly with the Port Engineer, and Vessel Captain, applying our three core values of Innovation, Integrity, and Efficiency and maintaining the Curtin Standard onboard.
Schedule: This is a full-time position. Days and hours are project specific and will require significant time/travel away from home. This position frequently requires long hours, weekend work, and offshore travel.
WHO YOU ARE:
Mental Aptitudes
  • Attention to detail / excellent organizational skills
  • Ability to handle stressful situations with focus, including safe and effective decision-making under potentially dangerous conditions.
  • Continuously demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility and ownership by being proactive in all situations/tasks
  • Understanding the importance of being a mentor, the ability to invest in the development and success of others
  • Superior communication skills, ability to speak to your audience whether it be the office or instructing/training multi-levels of crew, etc.
  • Strong logistical and mechanical reasoning skills, ability to not only plan and execute voyage, but also have a complete understanding of the vessel (mechanical and movement)

Physical Aptitudes
  • Agility to traverse uneven ground and walk, gangways at various heights
  • Agility to bend, stoop, or squat frequently and climb high steps/ladders several times a day
  • Ability to lift 40 pounds safely; moving equipment that is heavy, large, or awkward
  • Physical dexterity and strength to catch and handle lines; makeup tows with wire rigging; operate deck machinery; work on equipment that is poorly accessible
  • Ability to work below decks in an area that may experience periods of darkness; work in confined spaces
  • Ability to think clearly during stressful situations or during an emergency
  • Ability to perform emergency duties and use emergency equipment onboard the vessel
  • Demonstrate good personal hygiene, always maintain cleanliness
  • Must be able to swim

Engineer I - $450 - $550/day
LICENSES & REQUIREMENTS:
  • TWIC Card
  • MMC - OS/Wiper
  • CG Med Cert
  • Passport

PREFERRED LICENSES & REQUIREMENTS:
  • MMC QMED/Oiler
  • Able Seaman Endorsement
  • STCW Basic Training

VESSEL PROFICIENCIES:
  • Assistant or sole Engineer on tugs
  • Basic knowledge and troubleshooting abilities on electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical systems
  • Tow winch operation
  • Cleaning and maintaining an engine room to the Curtin Standard

COMPLIANCE:
  • Basic proficiency in operation of Vessel Management System (VMS)
  • Understanding and compliance with the Curtin Standard
  • Thorough recordkeeping and reporting to Port Engineer

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT:
  • Take ownership of assigned vessels. Maintain inventories, work plans, and be proactive in creating requisitions and leaving the vessel cleaner than you found it.
  • Manage Deckhands (when applicable) on projects and during downtime.
  • Partner with the Port Engineer and Captain to plan work while underway.

Engineer II - $550 - $650/day
LICENSES & REQUIREMENTS:
  • All those listed in Engineer I
  • MMC - QMED/Oiler
  • STCW Basic Training

VESSEL PROFICIENCIES:
  • Skilled in all Deckhand I - III position duties
  • Engineer "signed off" on multiple vessels in the fleet.
  • "Figuring it out." With some guidance, Engineer II's should be able to get on a new boat and figure out the basic engineering systems on board.
  • Growing understanding and troubleshooting/repair abilities in all vessel systems

COMPLIANCE:
  • Proficient utilization and operation of VMS
  • Beginning understanding of Sub-M, ABS, and USCG requirements

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT:
  • Manage teams on vessel projects and hold all accountable for completing tasks and assignments.
  • Assist Captain in making sure "everyone always has something to do!"
  • Lead by example, don't just say how it should be done. Do it!

Engineer III - $650 - $750/day
LICENSES & REQUIREMENTS:
  • All those listed in Engineer I & II
  • DDE 1000

PREFERRED LICENSES & REQUIREMENTS:
  • STCW - RFPEW

VESSEL PROFICIENCIES:
  • Engineer on all vessels in the fleet, including ocean tugs.
  • "Figuring it out." Engineer II's should be able to get on any boat, without prior knowledge or instruction and figuring out how to engineer it.
  • Thorough understanding and troubleshooting/repair abilities in all vessel systems
  • Critical path and proactive planning to maximize efficiency in operations of the engineering of the vessel including maintaining a constant state of readiness.

COMPLIANCE:
  • Full utilization and operation of VMS
  • Thorough understanding of Sub-M, ABS, and USCG requirements
  • Experience participating in external and internal audits.
  • Proven track record of performance in the VMS as well as training others in its use and function

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT:
  • Strong management skills as it relates to fellow crew, vendors, and shipyards.
  • Maintain a constant training ground onboard the vessel for Engineers I & II and Deckhands.
  • Provide critical and constructive feedback to other crew and on equipment, jobs, etc.

Engineer IV - $750-800/day
LICENSES & REQUIREMENTS:
  • All those listed in Engineer I - III
  • DDE 4000

PREFERRED LICENSES & REQUIREMENTS:
  • STCW - RFPEW, AS-Engine

VESSEL PROFICIENCIES:
  • Skilled at a high level in engineering, troubleshooting, and repair of all equipment in the fleet including: tugs, cranes, winches, electrical systems, pumps, auxiliary equipment, gasoline engines, vehicles, etc.
  • Heavy repair experience including engine overhauls, power pack replacement, etc.
  • Experience in system installation on new and retrofit applications including repowers, hydraulic, and other plumbing systems.
  • Commissioning new vessels to the fleet, including creating critical spares lists and standard operating procedures. "Take a dark dead boat with nothing on it and get it ready to work!"
  • Basic welding skills

COMPLIANCE:
  • Well versed in completing external and internal audits, as well as participating in building audit criteria to improve the Curtin Standard
  • Proven track record of performance in the VMS as well as training others in its use and function.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT:
  • Experience managing dry-dockings and repairs.
  • Ability to act as your own project manager. Interacting with and managing vendors, regulatory bodies, shipyards, Curtin Shoreside Team, etc.
  • Participate in the creation of SOP's and other training content.

Engineer V - $800 - $875/day
LICENSES & REQUIREMENTS:
  • All those listed in Engineer I - IV
  • DDE Any HP - 500 Ton

PREFERRED LICENSES & REQUIREMENTS:
  • STCW - RFPEW, AS-Engine
  • STCW - OICEW

VESSEL PROFICIENCIES:
  • Skilled at a high level in engineering, troubleshooting, and repair of all equipment in the fleet including: tugs, cranes, winches, electrical systems, pumps, auxiliary equipment, gasoline engines, vehicles, etc.
  • Heavy repair experience including engine overhauls, power pack replacement, etc.
  • Experience in system installation on new and retrofit applications including repowers, hydraulic, and other plumbing systems.
  • Commissioning new vessels to the fleet, including creating critical spares lists and standard operating procedures. "Take a dark dead boat with nothing on it and get it ready to work!"
  • Basic welding skills

COMPLIANCE:
  • Well versed in completing external and internal audits, as well as participating in building audit criteria to improve the Curtin Standard
  • Proven track record of performance in the VMS as well as training others in its use and function

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT:
  • Experience managing drydockings and repairs.
  • Ability to act as your own project manager. Interacting with and managing vendors, regulatory bodies, shipyards, Curtin Shoreside Team, etc.
  • Participate in the creation of SOP's and other training content.

WHAT WE OFFER:
  • Competitive Compensation
  • Generous benefits package including:
    • Medical
    • Dental
    • Vision
    • Short-term Disability
    • AD&D/Life Insurance
    • 401k (with company match)
    • Additional option to elect incremental Life Insurance for employee and dependents, and choice to elect Health and/or Dependent Flexible Spending Account.

Curtin Maritime is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.