6 of the Highest Paying Rigger Jobs in 2026

The best Rigger jobs can pay up to $80,000 per year.

High Paying Rigger Jobs

• Rigging Supervisor

  Salary range: $53,000 - $80,000

  A rigging supervisor works to coordinate, supervise, and operate machinery such as a crane. Your duties in this career include working to inspect machinery and erect rigging equipment and cables. Your responsibilities focus on supervising the riggers and other specialists. You ensure the crew follows correct safety procedures while they lift, hoist, or install equipment or materials. You may also be responsible for the budget and the schedule for each project. At various points throughout the day or project, you must report activities and progress to project supervisors.

• Rig Hand

  Salary range: $33,000 - $75,500

  A rig hand or roughneck is a worker on an oil rig. The term rig hand describes various jobs working on an oil rig. In this career, you are usually responsible for maintaining the drilling rig and equipment on the rig. However, your exact duties depend on the specific position. The lowest position in the rig hierarchy is the leasehand. In this role, you perform general maintenance service on the drilling rig. The next level is the floorhand, who assists in setting up and tearing down the drilling operation. In this position, you are in charge of handling pipe, drilling tools, and other necessary materials on the rig. The next three roles, the motorhand, derrickhand, and driller, are advancement tiers of the rig tech. Their responsibilities include maintaining the rig’s engines, monitoring the drill systems, and manning the drill.

• Rig Mechanic

  Salary range: $52,000 - $70,000

  The majority of Rig Mechanic salaries across the United States currently range between $52,000 (25th percentile) and $70,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Rig Mechanic job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Crane Rigger

  Salary range: $49,000 - $66,500

  A crane rigger is responsible for lifting and moving large or heavy load objects with the use of a crane. These skilled professionals are certified to safely operate this heavy machinery. In this career, you typically works on construction sites such as tall buildings, ships, bridges, and roads. Since the size of the load you are moving with the crane can be dangerous, you must comply with all safety standards as outlined in your certified training. Your job duties include operating the crane equipment and making sure the crane is assembled properly.

• Rigger Helper

  Salary range: $46,500 - $51,000

  The majority of Rigger Helper salaries across the United States currently range between $46,500 (25th percentile) and $51,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Rigger Helper job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

• Rig Operator

  Salary range: $17,500 - $41,500

  The majority of Rig Operator salaries across the United States currently range between $17,500 (25th percentile) and $41,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Rig Operator job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.