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Union Wire Rope Rigger Jobs in Santa Clara, CA (NOW HIRING)

Union Wire Rope Rigger information

See Santa Clara, CA salary details

$16

$30

$42

How much do union wire rope rigger jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for union wire rope rigger in Santa Clara, CA is $30.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.12 and $35.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Union Wire Rope Rigger, you need expertise in rigging techniques, load calculations, and a solid understanding of safety regulations, usually backed by apprenticeship training or certifications like OSHA. Familiarity with rigging hardware, wire rope inspection tools, and material handling equipment is essential. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong communication skills help ensure safe, coordinated operations on job sites. These skills are crucial for preventing accidents, maintaining safety, and ensuring the efficient movement of heavy loads in industrial environments.

How much does a rope access rigger make?

A rope access rigger typically earns between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and location. Skilled riggers with specialized training and safety certifications can earn higher wages, especially when working in industrial or high-risk environments. Overtime and project-based work can also increase overall earnings.

How much do level 3 riggers make?

Level 3 wire rope riggers typically earn between $25 and $40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and industry. They are often required to hold certifications such as NCCCO and have advanced skills in rigging and safety procedures, which can influence their pay scale.

What are Union Wire Rope Riggers?

Union Wire Rope Riggers are skilled tradespeople who specialize in lifting, moving, and securing heavy loads using wire rope, chains, and other rigging equipment. They work as part of labor unions that provide training, certification, and job protection. Their responsibilities include inspecting rigging gear, calculating load weights, setting up cranes or hoists, and ensuring safety standards are followed on construction sites, shipyards, and industrial settings. This job requires physical strength, technical knowledge, and strict adherence to safety protocols.

What are some common challenges Union Wire Rope Riggers face on the job, and how can they be addressed?

Union Wire Rope Riggers often work in dynamic environments where safety, communication, and precision are critical. Common challenges include dealing with adverse weather conditions, safely maneuvering heavy loads in tight spaces, and ensuring all rigging equipment is in proper working condition. These challenges can be addressed through rigorous adherence to safety protocols, regular equipment inspections, and effective teamwork with crane operators and other crew members. Ongoing training and clear communication help ensure tasks are completed safely and efficiently.

What does a union rigger do?

A union rigger is responsible for assembling, installing, and inspecting lifting equipment such as cranes, hoists, and slings to ensure safe and efficient lifting operations. They interpret blueprints, select appropriate rigging gear, and follow safety protocols, often working in construction, manufacturing, or industrial settings. Certification and knowledge of safety standards are essential for this role.

What is the difference between Union Wire Rope Rigger vs Non-Union Wire Rope Rigger?

AspectUnion Wire Rope RiggerNon-Union Wire Rope Rigger
CredentialsTypically requires OSHA certifications, rigging licenses, and union-specific trainingMay require similar certifications but often without union-specific training
Work EnvironmentWorks on union job sites, often in industrial, construction, or maritime settingsWorks in similar environments but outside union regulations
Employer & Industry UsageEmployed by union contractors, common in heavy industry and constructionEmployed by non-union companies, also in construction and industrial sectors

Union Wire Rope Riggers and Non-Union Wire Rope Riggers perform similar tasks involving lifting and rigging, but union riggers often have access to additional training, benefits, and work protections. The choice between them depends on the employer and project requirements.

What is the highest paying rigger job?

Union wire rope riggers with specialized skills, extensive experience, and certifications such as NCCCO tend to earn the highest wages, especially in industries like construction, oil and gas, or heavy lifting. Supervisory or lead rigger positions also offer higher pay due to increased responsibility and expertise.
What are the most commonly searched types of Wire Rope Rigger jobs in Santa Clara, CA? The most popular types of Wire Rope Rigger jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Union Wire Rope Rigger jobs in Santa Clara, CA? For Union Wire Rope Rigger jobs in Santa Clara, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Union Wire Rope Rigger jobs in Santa Clara, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Union Wire Rope Rigger jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:
What cities near Santa Clara, CA are hiring for Union Wire Rope Rigger jobs? Cities near Santa Clara, CA with the most Union Wire Rope Rigger job openings:
Substation Electrician-General Construction, Journey Level (All Regions)

Substation Electrician-General Construction, Journey Level (All Regions)

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Hayward, CA

$68.56/hr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


Pacific Gas and Electric Company rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

4th of 53 rated energy and utility


Job description

Requisition ID # 168118
Job Category: Maintenance / Construction / Operations
Job Level: Individual Contributor
Business Unit: Electric Operations
Work Type: Onsite
Job Location: Hayward
This job posting will be utilized to fill open Journey-level Electrician-General Construction positions within ALL REGIONS of our service territory. Open positions could become available at any time and based on business needs.
Department Overview
The people of Electric Operations ensure the delivery of safe and reliable electric service to our customers. Electric Operations is responsible for every aspect of PG&E's electric distribution and transmission operations, including planning, engineering, maintenance and construction, asset management, business planning, restoration, and emergency response.
Position Summary
This classification is represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) local 1245, which has over 100 years of experience representing employees at PG&E.
This position may be subject to Joint Apprentice Training Committee (JATC) review and approval. Provisional hires will be required to participate in targeted training to achieve journey-level knowledge of electrician roles and responsibilities.
Please note: Per letter of agreement (LOA) 23-36; All future employees who are hired, assigned, placed, or bid (after the execution date of this agreement) into one of the classifications listed (in agreement) and in the San Francisco Division ONLY is eligible for a 15% pay premium and will be subject to a "bid lock" for three (3) years.
In addition, Peninsula, De Anza, East Bay, and Mission divisions are eligible for a 10% pay premium and will be subject to a "bid lock" for three (3) years.
General Construction (GC)
For GC positions individuals must be able to travel and transfer to a new headquarters upon request at any time, throughout the entire PG&E service territory with no guarantees as to how long you will be away from home.
  • Reviews, verifies, and modifies prints and electric schematics. Lays out materials for installation, such as conduit, steel, wires, junction boxes, tools, etc. Places orders for supplies as needed.
  • Moves equipment to staging area. Performs safety preparation including performing high voltage protective grounding.
  • Uses power tools and hand tools to install equipment and systems, such as wire terminations, high voltage equipment, overhead and underground electrical and conduit systems, steel structures, control panels, metering and protection systems, air switches. Sets up rigging. Pulls wire.
  • May operate construction equipment, if qualified, such as crane truck, man lift, boom truck, bucket truck as part of installation, excavation, and compaction. Operates forklift to move and reposition equipment.
  • Uses hand and power tools, such as jackhammers, whackers, and shovels to remove and replace soil.
  • Removes old high voltage equipment, structures and other impediments prior to installation using heavy equipment, rigging and other tools.
  • Drives equipment on the job site (substation). May drive equipment from one job site to another. May drive a company vehicle to pick up tools or other equipment away from the job site.
  • Maintains work area in a clean and safe condition. Removes trash, debris, and excess materials. Picks up and reorganizes tools.
  • Overtime may be required.

PG&E is providing the hourly rate that the company in good faith believes it might pay for this position at the time of the job posting. This position is subject to collectively bargained hourly wage rates and increases. The starting wage rate for this position is $68.56 per hour. This wage rate is specific to the locality of the job. The wage rate is based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, geographic location, collective bargaining agreements, and internal equity.
Qualifications -
Minimum:
  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Must possess a High School diploma or GED.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver's License
  • Must show proof of successful completion of a Union Sanctioned JATC Inside Wireman Electrician Apprenticeship
  • Ability to work in all types of weather extremes.
  • Ability to drive safely in all weather and road conditions.
  • Must be willing to travel/ transfer to new headquarters upon request at any time; throughout the entire PG&E service territory with no guarantees as to how long you will be away from home (For GC positions)
  • Ability to work extended hours, nights, weekends and holidays, and various work schedules.
  • Ability to work in remote work locations with potential exposure to poison oak, snakes, spiders, bees, mosquitoes, ticks, rodents etc.
  • Must be able to wear company provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • If hired as Provisional, must pass the provisional training plan within 12 months from hire date.
  • CA CDL Class A Permit, or equivalent, subject to 150% driver/vehicle ratio

Desired:
  • 3-5 years Journey level experience in commercial or industrial electrical construction
  • PG&E construction or utility experience
  • Experience with electronic or mechanical equipment
  • Instrumentation and Control experience
  • Motor Control experience
  • Electrical Substation or Power Generation experience
  • High voltage experience
  • Experience working with testing equipment and troubleshooting

Pre-Employment Testing:
PG&E Employees: You must have qualified on all prerequisite tests prior to submitting an application; and all secondary tests prior to interviewing. For more information on prerequisite and secondary exams, including study guides, please visit the Pre-employment testing program website.
  • Physical Test Battery (PTB)
  • Work Orientation Inventory-Physical/Technical Driving (WOI-D)
  • Electrician Assessment

Purpose, Virtues and Stands
Our Purpose explains "why" we exist:
  • Delivering for our hometowns
  • Serving our planet
  • Leading with love

Our Virtues capture "who" we need to be:
  • Trustworthy
  • Empathetic
  • Curious
  • Tenacious
  • Nimble
  • Owners

Our Stands are "what" we will achieve together:
  • Everyone and everything is always safe
  • Catastrophic wildfires shall stop
  • It is enjoyable to work with and for PG&E
  • Clean and resilient energy for all
  • Our work shall create prosperity for all customers and investors

More About Our Company
EEO
Pacific Gas and Electric Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that actively pursues and hires a workforce that reflects the hometowns we serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability status, medical condition, protected veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the job.
Employee Privacy Notice The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) goes into effect on January 1, 2020. CCPA grants new and far-reaching privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information PG&E collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed through the following link: Employee Privacy Notice
PG&E will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in a manner consistent with all state and local laws.

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