Across U.S. metros, riggers typically earn $8,170 more a year than welders (16%). In the 70 metros where BLS publishes both, riggers earn more in 49 and welders in 21.
| Rigger | Welder | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $60,455 | $52,285 |
| Lowest metro median | $36,880 | $28,450 |
| Highest metro median | $169,480 | $85,790 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +3.9% | +2.4% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 1,700 | 40,300 |
| Self-employed | — | 4% |
| Typical education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Typical training | Moderate-term on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 79 | 43 |
| Metros with pay data | 70 | 382 |
On safety, riggers report more injuries that cause missed work (79 vs. 43 per 10,000 full-time workers, national 2023–24).
Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 (typical = median across metros). Growth, openings, education, training: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Injuries: BLS SOII 2023–24.
Where riggers out-earn welders the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where welders out-earn riggers the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
What each trade does
Rigger
Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.
Welder
Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.
Compare one trade across two cities →