Why demand for riggers is growing across the construction industry
The construction industry in the United States is experiencing one of the largest workforce challenges in decades. Massive infrastructure investments, expanding manufacturing facilities, data center construction, energy projects, and commercial developments are creating significant demand for skilled trades professionals. Among the occupations seeing particularly strong growth are riggers.
For contractors, project owners, and construction firms, finding qualified riggers has become increasingly difficult. At the same time, workers entering the trade are discovering that rigging offers stable employment, competitive wages, and long-term career growth.
As construction activity accelerates across the country, many employers are asking the same question: why are riggers in high demand? The answer lies in the critical role riggers play in safely moving, lifting, and positioning heavy materials and equipment on construction sites.
At Skillit, we see firsthand how demand for skilled construction workers continues to rise. Companies across the United States are actively seeking qualified riggers to support infrastructure, industrial, and commercial construction projects. This trend is expected to continue for years as labor shortages and project backlogs increase competition for skilled talent.
Understanding what a rigger doe
One of the most common questions among job seekers is: what does a rigger do?
A rigger is responsible for preparing, securing, and directing loads that are lifted and moved by cranes, hoists, and other lifting equipment. Their primary responsibility is ensuring that heavy objects can be transported safely and efficiently without causing injuries, equipment damage, or project delays.
Typical responsibilities include:
Inspecting lifting equipment and rigging gear
Determining load weights and centers of gravity
Selecting appropriate slings, shackles, and lifting hardware
Attaching loads for safe movement
Coordinating with crane operators
Following OSHA and site safety requirements
Monitoring lifts throughout the operation
Ensuring compliance with project specifications
Without skilled riggers, construction projects involving structural steel, prefabricated components, heavy machinery, or industrial equipment would face significant safety risks. From high-rise buildings to highway bridges, riggers help keep projects moving forward.
Why riggers are harder to replace than other construction workers
While many construction occupations face labor shortages, riggers present a unique challenge for employers because the role combines technical expertise, safety responsibility, and practical field experience.
A rigger must understand far more than how to attach a sling to a load. On complex projects, riggers are responsible for evaluating load weights, identifying centers of gravity, selecting proper rigging hardware, inspecting lifting equipment, and coordinating directly with crane operators.
Unlike so entry-level construction positions, these skills typically require years of field experience to develop.
A single rigging mistake can damage expensive equipment, delay project schedules, trigger OSHA investigations, or create serious safety hazards. Because of these risks, contractors are often unwilling to place inexperienced workers into rigging roles without proper training and supervision.
This combination of responsibility and specialization is one of the primary reasons why riggers remain among the most difficult construction professionals to recruit.
The skilled labor shortage is increasing demand for riggers
One of the biggest reasons riggers are in demand is the ongoing skilled labor shortage affecting the entire construction industry.
According to workforce forecasts from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the construction industry needed approximately 439,000 additional workers in 2025 beyond normal hiring levels to meet anticipated demand.
That figure highlights a growing imbalance between available projects and available workers.
The challenge becomes even more severe for specialized trades such as rigging.
Unlike general labor positions, riggers require technical knowledge, field experience, safety training, and in many cases formal certification. This makes it harder for employers to quickly fill open positions.
Recent workforce surveys conducted by construction industry organizations found that more than 90% of contractors report difficulty finding qualified workers.
Why the labor shortage is impacting riggers more than other trades
Several factors make rigging positions particularly difficult to fill:
Because rigging combines technical skill with safety-critical responsibilities, contractors cannot simply replace experienced riggers overnight.
Federal infrastructure spending is driving infrastructure construction jobs
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has fundamentally changed construction hiring across the United States.
Passed with approximately $1.2 trillion in authorized spending, the legislation includes significant funding for projects that depend heavily on lifting operations.
Major infrastructure funding categories
Every one of these sectors creates demand for skilled riggers. Bridge construction requires the placement of steel girders and precast concrete sections. Airport expansions involve large structural steel components and mechanical systems. Water infrastructure projects often require installation of pumps, tanks, and heavy utility equipment.
These projects are creating thousands of new infrastructure construction jobs, many of which require workers with rigging expertise.
Data center construction is creating new opportunities for riggers
One of the fastest-growing construction sectors in America is data center development.
Major technology companies are investing billions of dollars in new facilities to support artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure.
Industry reports indicate that the U.S. data center market is expected to continue growing at approximately 10% to 11% annually over the next decade. In 2025 alone, 176 new data centers were approved across 34 states, demonstrating the scale of ongoing investment.
Recent workforce initiatives from leading technology companies highlight the growing need for skilled construction labor. Meta, for example, announced a $115 million workforce development initiative focused on training workers for data center construction projects. Industry experts have pointed to labor shortages as one of the biggest challenges facing data center expansion.
Data center projects require:
Structural steel installation
Mechanical equipment placement
Generator installation
Cooling system installation
Electrical infrastructure work
Each phase depends on qualified rigging personnel. This trend is creating new crane and rigging jobs across multiple states.
Heavy equipment rigging is becoming more important
Modern construction sites rely on increasingly large and sophisticated machinery.
Examples include:
Tower cranes
Excavators
Tunnel boring machines
Concrete batch plants
Industrial generators
Transformers
Prefabricated modules
The movement and installation of this equipment require skilled professionals experienced in heavy equipment rigging.
Improper lifting procedures can result in:
Project delays
Equipment damage
Worker injuries
Regulatory penalties
As safety requirements become stricter, employers are investing more heavily in qualified rigging personnel.
This trend is expected to continue as construction projects become larger and more technologically advanced.
How to become a certified rigger in the United States
For individuals exploring construction careers, one of the most frequently asked questions is how to become a certified rigger.
While requirements can vary by employer and project type, most successful riggers follow a similar career path.
Step 1: Gain construction experience
Many riggers begin their careers in entry-level construction positions. Working on active job sites helps workers develop an understanding of:
Construction safety procedures
Material handling practices
Equipment operations
Site communication protocols
OSHA regulations
Hands-on experience provides the foundation needed to transition into specialized rigging work.
Step 2: Complete rigging training
Formal training programs teach the technical skills required for safe lifting operations.
Training typically covers:
Many employers prefer candidates who have completed structured rigging programs through recognized training organizations.
Step 3: Earn rigging certification
Obtaining rigging certification can significantly improve employment prospects.
Industry-recognized certifications demonstrate that workers possess the knowledge and skills necessary to perform lifting operations safely.
Certified riggers often gain access to:
Larger construction projects
Industrial facilities
Infrastructure projects
Specialized crane operations
Higher-paying positions
As contractors continue prioritizing safety and compliance, certification is becoming increasingly valuable across the industry.
Step 4: Build specialized experience
After certification, many riggers choose to specialize in specific sectors such as:
Industrial construction
Structural steel erection
Energy projects
Manufacturing facilities
Infrastructure projects
Heavy equipment installation
Specialized expertise often leads to greater earning potential and career advancement opportunities.
Safety remains the top priority on construction sites.
Because riggers work directly with suspended loads and heavy lifting operations, employers increasingly prefer candidates who have completed recognized rigging certification programs.
Certification demonstrates competency in areas such as:
Load calculations
Sling selection
Inspection procedures
Signal communication
OSHA requirements
Lift planning
Organizations such as NCCCO have helped establish industry-recognized standards for rigging professionals.
Certified workers often enjoy:
Higher earning potential
Greater job mobility
Increased employment opportunities
Access to larger projects
Enhanced safety knowledge
As a result, certification has become an important differentiator in today's competitive construction labor market.
Why employers are prioritizing rigging certification
Construction hiring trends point to long-term growth
Current construction hiring trends indicate that demand for riggers is not a temporary phenomenon.
Several long-term factors continue supporting workforce demand:
Taken together, these trends suggest that riggers will remain among the most sought-after skilled trades professionals throughout the coming decade.
The combination of labor shortages, rising construction spending, and increasing project complexity has created an environment where qualified riggers are becoming more valuable than ever.
Where demand for riggers is highest in the United States
While riggers are needed nationwide, certain states are experiencing significantly higher demand because of infrastructure projects, manufacturing investments, energy construction, and data center expansion.
For contractors, these markets have become increasingly competitive. For workers, they represent some of the strongest opportunities for career growth.
Top states hiring riggers in 2026
Texas remains one of the strongest markets because of ongoing energy and industrial construction activity. Large LNG export terminals, petrochemical facilities, and manufacturing plants require extensive rigging support throughout construction and commissioning phases.
Virginia has emerged as another major market due to data center construction. Northern Virginia processes a substantial share of global internet traffic, leading to continuous investment in new digital infrastructure.
One reason many workers are entering the trade is the strong earning potential associated with rigging careers. As demand for qualified workers continues to exceed supply, employers are offering competitive wages and benefits to attract experienced talent.
Compensation varies based on:
Location
Experience level
Rigging certification
Industry sector
Union affiliation
Project complexity
Typical rigger salary ranges
The earning potential for certified riggers
| Role | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry-level rigger | $42,000 – $54,000 |
| Experienced rigger | $56,000 – $75,000 |
| Certified industrial rigger | $65,000 – $95,000+ |
| Rigging foreman or supervisor | $75,000 – $135,000+ |
Certified riggers working in industrial construction, infrastructure projects, and heavy equipment rigging often earn higher wages than general construction workers due to the specialized skills required. Many employers also offer overtime pay, per diem compensation, travel allowances, health benefits, and retirement plans.
The ongoing skilled labor shortage has further increased earning potential. As companies compete for experienced talent, certified riggers continue to benefit from strong wages, job security, and growing career opportunities across the United States.
| Demand Driver | Outlook |
|---|---|
| Infrastructure modernization | Strong |
| Semiconductor manufacturing | Strong |
| Data center construction | Very Strong |
| Renewable energy projects | Strong |
| Manufacturing reshoring | Strong |
| Workforce replacement hiring | Strong |
What will demand for riggers look like through 2035?
Several long-term trends suggest that demand for riggers will remain strong throughout the next decade.
Unlike short-term construction cycles, many of these investments involve multi-year project pipelines.
The combination of infrastructure spending, industrial development, and workforce retirements suggests that employers will continue seeking qualified riggers for years to come.
For workers evaluating career options, this creates a compelling long-term outlook for the profession.
How Skillit helps contractors hire riggers faster
As construction hiring trends continue tightening, many contractors are discovering that traditional recruiting methods struggle to keep pace with workforce demand.
Specialized positions such as riggers, crane operators, welders, and industrial trades professionals often remain open longer than general construction roles because the pool of qualified candidates is smaller.
Skillit helps address this challenge by connecting construction employers directly with skilled trades professionals who possess relevant project experience.
For contractors facing labor shortages, faster access to qualified workers can help reduce project delays, improve workforce planning, and support project schedules.
In a market where experienced riggers are increasingly difficult to find, construction-focused hiring solutions are becoming an important competitive advantage.
Conclusion
The growing demand for riggers is not a short-term hiring trend. It is the result of fundamental changes occurring across the U.S. construction industry.
Historic infrastructure investments, manufacturing expansion, data center construction, renewable energy development, and workforce retirements are creating sustained demand for workers with specialized lifting expertise.
From heavy equipment rigging and construction rigging services to complex industrial rigging jobs, employers need qualified professionals who can perform critical lifting operations safely and efficiently.
For workers, this creates a unique opportunity to enter a high-demand trade with strong earnings potential and long-term career growth.
For contractors, it reinforces the importance of developing effective workforce strategies and partnering with construction-focused hiring platforms such as Skillit.
As construction activity continues to grow across the United States, riggers will remain among the most valuable and sought-after professionals on every major project site.
What does a rigger do?
A rigger prepares, secures, and guides loads that are moved using cranes, hoists, and other lifting equipment. They help ensure heavy materials and equipment are lifted safely and efficiently on construction sites.
Why are riggers in high demand?
Riggers are in high demand because of increased infrastructure spending, manufacturing expansion, data center construction, and ongoing skilled labor shortages across the U.S. construction industry.
What are construction rigging services?
Construction rigging services involve planning and executing the safe lifting, moving, and positioning of heavy materials, structural components, and equipment during construction projects.
What is heavy equipment rigging?
Heavy equipment rigging involves the safe movement and installation of large machinery, generators, transformers, turbines, and other oversized equipment using specialized rigging techniques.
How do I become a certified rigger?
To become a certified rigger, you typically need construction experience, formal rigging training, and a recognized rigging certification that demonstrates knowledge of safe lifting practices and equipment operation.
Is rigging certification required?
Requirements vary by employer and project, but many contractors prefer or require rigging certification because it demonstrates competency in safety procedures, lift planning, and equipment inspection.
What skills are needed to become a rigger?
Successful riggers need strong communication skills, attention to detail, safety awareness, knowledge of lifting equipment, and the ability to read lift plans and load calculations.
What is the difference between a rigger and a crane operator?
A crane operator controls the crane, while a rigger prepares and secures the load, selects the appropriate rigging equipment, and directs the lift to ensure safe operation.
Which states have the most rigger job opportunities in construction?
States such as Texas, Florida, Arizona, Ohio, Georgia, Virginia, and North Carolina currently have strong demand for riggers due to infrastructure, manufacturing, and data center construction projects.
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