Rigger
Virginia Beach, VA · On-site
$38K - $56K/yr
Installs or repairs ships' rigging such as mast on antenna wires, small boat handling gear, shipboard cranes, winches, windless, replenishment and weight handling equipment. * Move barges and ...
Rigger
Virginia Beach, VA · On-site
$38K - $56K/yr
Installs or repairs ships' rigging such as mast on antenna wires, small boat handling gear, shipboard cranes, winches, windless, replenishment and weight handling equipment. * Move barges and ...
Rigger
Hampton, VA · On-site
$38K - $56K/yr
Installs or repairs ships' rigging such as mast on antenna wires, small boat handling gear, shipboard cranes, winches, windless, replenishment and weight handling equipment. * Move barges and ...
Rigger
Hampton, VA · On-site
$38K - $56K/yr
Installs or repairs ships' rigging such as mast on antenna wires, small boat handling gear, shipboard cranes, winches, windless, replenishment and weight handling equipment. * Move barges and ...
Marine Rigger
$22.50 - $29/hr
Fabricate, install and repair ship's rigging, such as stepping and unstopping masts, antenna rigs, boat handling gear, and winch and windlass rigging. Installs masts, booms, hooks, swivels, shackles ...
Marine Rigger
$22.50 - $29/hr
Fabricate, install and repair ship's rigging, such as stepping and unstopping masts, antenna rigs, boat handling gear, and winch and windlass rigging. Installs masts, booms, hooks, swivels, shackles ...
Marine Rigger
Southwest Harbor, ME · On-site
$22.50 - $29/hr
Marine Boat Rigger Essential Duties: • Fabricate, install and repair ship's rigging, such as stepping and unstopping masts, antenna rigs, boat handling gear, and winch and windlass rigging. • ...
Quick apply
Marine Rigger
Southwest Harbor, ME · On-site
$22.50 - $29/hr
Marine Boat Rigger Essential Duties: • Fabricate, install and repair ship's rigging, such as stepping and unstopping masts, antenna rigs, boat handling gear, and winch and windlass rigging. • ...
Marine Rigger
$22.50 - $29/hr
Fabricate, install and repair ship's rigging, such as stepping and unstopping masts, antenna rigs, boat handling gear, and winch and windlass rigging. Installs masts, booms, hooks, swivels, shackles ...
Marine Rigger
$22.50 - $29/hr
Fabricate, install and repair ship's rigging, such as stepping and unstopping masts, antenna rigs, boat handling gear, and winch and windlass rigging. Installs masts, booms, hooks, swivels, shackles ...
Marine Rigger
Southwest Harbor, ME · On-site
$22.50 - $29/hr
Marine Boat Rigger Essential Duties: • Fabricate, install and repair ship's rigging, such as stepping and unstopping masts, antenna rigs, boat handling gear, and winch and windlass rigging. • ...
Marine Rigger
Southwest Harbor, ME · On-site
$22.50 - $29/hr
Marine Boat Rigger Essential Duties: • Fabricate, install and repair ship's rigging, such as stepping and unstopping masts, antenna rigs, boat handling gear, and winch and windlass rigging. • ...
RIGGER JOURNEYMAN ESR
Everett, WA · On-site
$32.03 - $35.70/hr
Everett Ship Repair is the Pacific Northwest Premier Ship Repair Facility. Founded in 2019, Everett ... We are seeking a Rigger Journeyman who will prepare materials for transport by crane or forklift ...
RIGGER JOURNEYMAN ESR
Everett, WA · On-site
$32.03 - $35.70/hr
Everett Ship Repair is the Pacific Northwest Premier Ship Repair Facility. Founded in 2019, Everett ... We are seeking a Rigger Journeyman who will prepare materials for transport by crane or forklift ...
Rigger
$25.50 - $33/hr
Locates, loads/unloads materials and equipment on and off ship and in and out of yard. Tests and installs rigging equipment, such as cargo booms, elevators, boat davits, booms and portable davits.
Rigger
$25.50 - $33/hr
Locates, loads/unloads materials and equipment on and off ship and in and out of yard. Tests and installs rigging equipment, such as cargo booms, elevators, boat davits, booms and portable davits.
Rigger
$25.50 - $33/hr
Locates, loads/unloads materials and equipment on and off ship and in and out of yard. Tests and installs rigging equipment, such as cargo booms, elevators, boat davits, booms and portable davits.
Quick apply
Rigger
$25.50 - $33/hr
Locates, loads/unloads materials and equipment on and off ship and in and out of yard. Tests and installs rigging equipment, such as cargo booms, elevators, boat davits, booms and portable davits.
Rigger
National City, CA · On-site
$24.50 - $31.75/hr
Hiring Riggers for Shipyard Labor One is hiring Riggers for a shipyard in San Diego, California ... Rigs material to lift, move and position material onto ship or to move around the yard. * Conveys ...
Quick apply
Rigger
National City, CA · On-site
$24.50 - $31.75/hr
Hiring Riggers for Shipyard Labor One is hiring Riggers for a shipyard in San Diego, California ... Rigs material to lift, move and position material onto ship or to move around the yard. * Conveys ...
RIGGER JOURNEYMAN ESR
$32.03 - $35.70/hr
Everett Ship Repair is the Pacific Northwest Premier Ship Repair Facility. Founded in 2019, Everett ... We are seeking a Rigger Journeyman who will prepare materials for transport by crane or forklift ...
RIGGER JOURNEYMAN ESR
$32.03 - $35.70/hr
Everett Ship Repair is the Pacific Northwest Premier Ship Repair Facility. Founded in 2019, Everett ... We are seeking a Rigger Journeyman who will prepare materials for transport by crane or forklift ...
Rigger
Virginia Beach, VA · On-site
$22.75 - $29.50/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Virginia Beach, VA · On-site
$22.75 - $29.50/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Virginia Beach, VA · On-site
$21.50 - $27.75/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Virginia Beach, VA · On-site
$21.50 - $27.75/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Chesapeake, VA · On-site
$21.50 - $28/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Chesapeake, VA · On-site
$21.50 - $28/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Carrollton, VA · On-site
$21.75 - $28.25/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Carrollton, VA · On-site
$21.75 - $28.25/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Carrollton, VA · On-site
$21.75 - $28.25/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Carrollton, VA · On-site
$21.75 - $28.25/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Norfolk, VA · On-site
$23.25 - $30/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Norfolk, VA · On-site
$23.25 - $30/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Chesapeake, VA · On-site
$22 - $28.25/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Chesapeake, VA · On-site
$22 - $28.25/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Suffolk, VA · On-site
$22.75 - $29.50/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Suffolk, VA · On-site
$22.75 - $29.50/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Norfolk, VA · On-site
$23.25 - $30/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Rigger
Norfolk, VA · On-site
$23.25 - $30/hr
Fabricate, install, and repair rigging, including weight-handling gear aboard ships. * Hoisting and Positioning : Select and attach appropriate rigging gear to hoisting machinery, braces, and ...
Ship Rigger information
See salary details
$14.18 - $16.22
1% of jobs
$16.22 - $18.25
6% of jobs
$18.25 - $20.28
5% of jobs
$20.28 - $22.31
6% of jobs
$23.09 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$22.31 - $24.34
16% of jobs
The median wage is $25.57 / hr.
$24.34 - $26.38
25% of jobs
$26.38 - $28.41
14% of jobs
$28.83 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$28.41 - $30.44
6% of jobs
$30.44 - $32.47
16% of jobs
$32.47 - $34.51
3% of jobs
$34.51 - $36.54
1% of jobs
$14
$26
$36
How much do ship rigger jobs pay per hour?
As of May 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for ship rigger in the United States is $26.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.08 and $29.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Ship Rigger, and why are they important?
To thrive as a Ship Rigger, you need strong mechanical aptitude, knowledge of rigging techniques, and physical fitness, often supported by vocational training or an apprenticeship. Familiarity with hoisting equipment, hand and power tools, and adherence to safety regulations are essential, with certifications like OSHA maritime safety being advantageous. Attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication are key soft skills that help ensure safe and efficient operations. These abilities are critical for maintaining vessel safety, minimizing accidents, and supporting smooth maritime operations.
What are the typical challenges faced by a Ship Rigger during vessel maintenance and repair projects?
Ship Riggers often encounter challenges such as working in confined or elevated spaces, handling heavy and cumbersome rigging equipment, and adapting to changing weather conditions. Safety is a major concern, as the work involves lifting and securing large components using ropes, cables, and pulleys, often at significant heights. Close coordination with other crew members and departments is essential to ensure efficient workflow and to address unexpected issues that may arise during maintenance or repairs.
What are ship riggers?
Ship riggers are skilled workers responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing the rigging on ships, such as ropes, cables, and chains that support masts, sails, and other equipment. They ensure that all rigging is safe and functional, which is crucial for the operation and safety of a vessel. Ship riggers may work on both modern and traditional ships, and sometimes assist with loading cargo or moving heavy equipment using hoists and cranes. Their work requires knowledge of knots, splicing, and the mechanical aspects of rigging systems.
What do riggers do on a ship?
Ship riggers are responsible for installing, maintaining, and operating the rigging systems that support and move cargo, equipment, and sails. They work with ropes, cables, pulleys, and cranes in a maritime environment, often using safety gear and following strict protocols. Their tasks ensure the safe and efficient handling of loads and the proper functioning of ship components.
What is the difference between Ship Rigger vs Crane Operator?
| Aspect | Ship Rigger | Crane Operator |
|---|---|---|
| Certifications | Rigger certification, OSHA safety training | Crane operator license, OSHA safety training |
| Work Environment | Shipyards, docks, offshore vessels | Construction sites, ports, industrial settings |
| Job Focus | Assembling, maintaining, and operating rigging equipment for ships | Operating cranes to lift and move heavy materials |
| Industry Usage | Maritime, shipping, offshore | Construction, logistics, shipping |
Both Ship Riggers and Crane Operators work in environments involving heavy lifting and require safety certifications. However, Ship Riggers focus on rigging setup and maintenance for ships and offshore structures, while Crane Operators specialize in operating cranes to move materials in various industries. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.
More about Ship Rigger jobs
What cities are hiring for Ship Rigger jobs? Cities with the most Ship Rigger job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Ship Rigger jobs? The most popular types of Ship Rigger jobs are:
What states have the most Ship Rigger jobs? States with the most job openings for Ship Rigger jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Ship Rigger jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Ship Rigger jobs are:
Job description
Tidewater Staffing is currently seeking Riggers for work in Norfolk, VA, Chesapeake, VA, Portsmouth, VA, and Hampton, VA shipyards.
Job Duties
- Fabricates, installs and repairs rigging and weight handling gear on ships.
- Attaches hoists and pulling gear to lift, move, remove, install or position machinery, equipment, structural parts and order heavy loads aboard ships.
- Selects and attaches chainfalls, jacks, rollers, levers and/or pulleys according to types of loads being moved.
- Signals cranes or other equipment to move loads.
- Controls movement of heavy equipment through narrow openings or in confined spaces.
- Lays out and handles lines on cleats or bollards and hauls in ships with capstans when assisting dock master in ship dry docking operations.
- Installs or repairs ships’ rigging such as mast on antenna wires, small boat handling gear, shipboard cranes, winches, windless, replenishment and weight handling equipment.
- Move barges and derricks with tug boats and yard boats.
- Works in engine rooms, boiler rooms, aloft or in confined spaces as required.
- Thorough knowledge of shackles, natural, synthetic and wire ropes, steamboat jacks, hydraulic jacks, turnbuckles, rollers, chainfalls, clamps, swivels, crane signals, shipboard nomenclature, forklifts and aerial lifts.
- Splice natural and synthetic ropes, tying knots, use of electric, pneumatic and hand powered tools.
- Knowledge of OSHA standards.
JOURNEYPERSON 3 (Rigging):
- Attaches hoists and pulling gear to lift, move, remove, install or position machinery, equipment, structural parts and other heavy loads aboard ship.
- Selects and attaches chainfalls, jacks, rollers, lever and/or pulleys according to types of loads being moved.
- Signals cranes or other equipment to move loads, controls movement of heavy equipment through narrow openings or in confined spaces.
- Handles lines on cleats or bollards when assisting the dock master in ship dry docking operations.
- Moves barges and derricks with tug boats and yard boats.
- Works in engine rooms, boiler rooms, aloft or in confined spaces as required.
- Knowledge of OSHA standards.
JOURNEYPERSON 2 (Rigging):
- Attaches hoists and pulling gear to lift, move, remove, install or position machinery, equipment, structural parts and other heavy loads aboard ships.
- Signals cranes or other equipment to move loads.
- Controls movement of equipment through narrow openings or in confined spaces, handles lines on cleats or bollards when assisting the dock master in the ship dry docking operations.
- Moves barges and derricks with tug boats.
- Works in engine rooms, boiler rooms, aloft or in confined spaces as required.
- Knowledge of shackles, chainfalls, natural, synthetic and wire ropes, turnbuckles, rollers, clamps and crane signals.
- Splice natural and synthetic ropes tying knots.
- Use if electric, pneumatic and hand tools.
- Operate forklifts and aerial lifts.
JOURNEYPERSON 1 (Rigging):
- Assist in attaching hoist and pulling gear to lift, move, remove, install or position machinery, equipment, structural parts or other loads abroad ship.
- Assist in the movement of equipment through narrow openings or in confined spaces.
- Assist in line handling operations, assist in the erection of staging in tanks, above decks, on mast, yardarms and ship’s sides.
- Works in engine rooms, boiler rooms, aloft or in confined spaces as required.
- Knowledge of shackles, chainfalls, natural, synthetic and wire ropes, turnbuckles, rollers, clamps and crane signals.
- Splicing natural ropes.
- Tying knots operate forklifts and aerial lifts.
- Use of hand tools.
About Tidewater Staffing
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Since 1992, Tidewater Staffing, Inc. (TSI) has been providing unrivaled workforce solutions for our clients in the ship repair, warehousing, and light industrial/manufacturing industries. Through the years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to solving staffing challenges efficiently, economically, and with integrity by embodying our mission statement: “Put people to work. Do the right thing every day.” Our deep industry experience and established local presence allow us to maintain a consistent, updated, and expansive network of skilled candidates, and our proprietary digital onboarding process. When you partner with Tidewater Staffing, you get employees who are trained, screened, supplied, and access to our proprietary digital onboarding process.
Industry
Recruiting and staffing services
Company size
51 - 200 Employees
Headquarters location
Virginia Beach, VA, US
Year founded
1992