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Parachute Rigger Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Senior Paraglider & Parachute Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

Sr. Paraglider & Parachute Engineer Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, five days per ... Be willing to "cut cloth" and work with riggers and sewing technicians to prototype designs rapidly.

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Parachute Rigger information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$47.2K

$71.6K

How much do parachute rigger jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for parachute rigger in California is $47,174.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,400.00 and $54,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much money do parachute riggers make?

Parachute riggers typically earn a median annual salary of around $40,000 to $60,000, depending on experience, certification level, and work environment. Experienced riggers with specialized skills or working in military or commercial sectors can earn higher wages, and overtime or shift work may increase total compensation.

What is the difference between Parachute Rigger vs Aircraft Maintenance Technician?

AspectParachute RiggerAircraft Maintenance Technician
CertificationsFAA Parachute Rigger CertificateFAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certificate
Work EnvironmentAirports, parachute manufacturing, military basesAirlines, maintenance hangars, repair stations
Industry UsageMilitary, recreational, commercial parachutingAviation, commercial and private aircraft maintenance

Parachute Riggers focus on packing, inspecting, and repairing parachutes, often working in parachuting or military environments. Aircraft Maintenance Technicians perform repairs and inspections on aircraft, ensuring safety and compliance. While both roles require FAA certifications and work in aviation-related settings, their specific duties and certifications differ significantly.

What Does a Parachute Rigger Do?

Parachute riggers pack, unpack, inspect, and repair parachutes and other parachute equipment, such as lines, fabric, and backpacks. You usually find parachute riggers in the armed forces, but they also work in civilian aviation, particularly for small prop planes or skydiving companies. As a parachute rigger, you must understand how to manage and repair the parachute fabrics and hardware, as well as the regulations related to packing up a parachute. Some job duties may vary between military and civilian positions, but all parachute riggers must perform extensive quality assurance and testing to ensure that everyone who uses the parachutes they pack is safe when they make their jumps.

What are Parachute Riggers?

Parachute Riggers are specialized professionals trained to inspect, repair, pack, and maintain parachutes and related equipment to ensure they function safely and reliably. They work with various types of parachutes used in military, sport, and emergency applications. Their responsibilities also include conducting safety checks, replacing worn components, and sometimes providing training on parachute use. Parachute Riggers must be detail-oriented and often require certification to perform their duties legally.

Is Parachute Rigger a hard job?

Parachute riggers perform detailed inspections, packing, and maintenance of parachutes, requiring precision, attention to detail, and knowledge of safety standards. The job involves physical work and adherence to strict procedures, and often requires certification and training, making it a challenging but manageable profession for those with technical skills. The difficulty depends on individual aptitude and experience with safety protocols and equipment handling.

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

To thrive as a Parachute Rigger, you need strong attention to detail, manual dexterity, and a solid understanding of aerodynamics, often supported by specialized training and FAA certification. Familiarity with sewing machines, inspection tools, and parachute packing procedures is essential. Excellent problem-solving skills, reliability, and the ability to work under pressure set outstanding riggers apart. These skills ensure the safety and functionality of parachute equipment, which is critical for the lives of users.

What are some common challenges Parachute Riggers face during their daily responsibilities?

Parachute Riggers often encounter challenges such as maintaining meticulous attention to detail under time constraints, as improper packing or inspection can lead to serious safety risks. They must also keep up with rigorous documentation and adhere to strict regulatory standards, which can be demanding. Additionally, Riggers frequently work in environments where teamwork is essential, coordinating closely with pilots, jumpers, and maintenance staff to ensure all equipment is safe and ready for use.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

Parachute riggers typically do not earn $2000 a day; their pay is usually hourly or salary-based. High-paying jobs that can reach or exceed $2000 daily often include specialized roles such as experienced surgeons, corporate executives, or certain high-level consultants, which require advanced skills, certifications, and significant experience. These roles are often in industries like healthcare, finance, or technology and may involve long hours or high responsibility.

What is the highest paying rigger job?

The highest paying parachute rigger jobs are typically found in the military, aerospace, or government sectors, where riggers may work as senior or master riggers with specialized certifications. These roles often require extensive experience, advanced skills, and security clearances, resulting in higher salaries compared to standard parachute rigging positions.
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Parachute Rigger jobs near you
Infographic showing various Parachute Rigger job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $47,174 per year, or $22.7 per hour.

Parachute Rigger with Security Clearance

Ascendancy Group Ltd, The

Coronado, CA

Contractor

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

The Ascendancy Group's Mission To be the unequaled provider of special operations forces (SOF) and Intelligence Community focused technical, service, and training-based solutions. *This position is contingent upon contract award. Opportunity Overview The objective of this position is to provide logistics support services to supplement the NSWG-1 LOGSU-1 workforces and help it achieve continued effective operations and sustain adequate logistics support to NSWG1.

The Parachute Rigger will report to the Air Division's Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO) and assist Air Division's LCPO and LPO with the day-to-day operations of Air Division to include the responsibilities listed below. Security Requirement: • Must maintain a SECRET clearance. Roles and Responsibilities: • Muster each morning with the packing deck supervisor in order to receive instructions for the day.

• Pack tactical and non-tactical Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) Ram Air Personnel Parachute Systems (RAPPS). Must be qualified to pack and maintain military owned parachutes systems to include but not limited to the following: MT-2XX main/reserve and non-standard main/reserve. Qualifications and certifications are listed below.

• Pack all and maintain all systems in accordance with military technical manuals and/or the manufacture's recommendations. • Fill out and actively maintain parachute history cards after each parachute is packed or maintenance is performed. It is imperative that all log entries are both accurate and fully legible.

• Perform repairs such as the patching of canopies, line replacements, hand-tacking and so on in accordance with FAR part 65, applicable military technical manuals & FAA-H-8083-17 Parachute Rigger Handbook PG 1-2. The two types of certificates differ in the level of experience and responsibility. A senior parachute rigger may pack, as well as maintain, a parachute by making minor repairs.

A master parachute rigger has all the privileges of the lesser certificate plus the ability to make major repairs and alter parachutes according to the approved data. A major repair is one that if improperly done, can appreciably affect the airworthiness of the parachute. An example of this might be replacing a damaged canopy panel or altering a harness by changing the size of the main lift web.

A minor repair is anything other than a major repair, such as, a small patch on a canopy or the replacement of a defective or worn connector link. The employees contracted for this effort are anticipated to spend less than 10% of their time performing repair work • Contracted personnel may be required to assist in military Rigger activity in and around active and in-active aircraft at the discretion of the work supervisor, and qualification level if qualified, perform any job duties on or related to oxygen equipment • Contractors will not perform parachute jumps, fast roping, or rappelling from government/military aircraft in the performance of air operational duties. Requirements • Must possess FAA Master Rigge certificate with back and chest rating or FAA Senior Rigger certificate with back rating and documented proof of having held one of the following military job codes: o Navy: 773A o Army: 92R or 921A o USMC: 0451.

• Must possess a validated certificate of graduation from U.S. Army Quartermaster Rigger School or CNATTU Learning Site Fort Lee for the MT-2XX parachute system. • Must have a minimum of four (4) years maintenance experience in support of military airborne operations.

• Possess a valid state driver's license. • Be able to drive Government-owned trucks, forklifts and vans. No CDL license required.

• Be able to operate a Personal Computer (PC) with common/standard business software programs. Be proficient in Microsoft Office applications, to include Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint. • Have direct knowledge of installation level and strategic support logistic programs and systems that relate to logistic capability and capacity.

• Possess an excellent work ethic. • Have excellent verbal and written communication skills. • Pay strong attention to detail and be highly accurate in performing all tasks.

• Perform duties independently, with minimal oversight. • Be able to write correspondence in a military format, when necessary. • The following are additional qualifications/certifications that are desired: o Possess a validated certificate of graduation from U.S.

Army Quartermaster Rigger School or CNATTU Learning Site Fort Lee for the MC-6, T-11R, and cargo parachute systems. o If a FAA Senior Rigger, have a chest rating o Joint Airdrop Inspector (JAI)

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