Rigger salary in California
Riggers in California earn a median of $85,730 a year ($41.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,260 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,810 for the top 10%. That is 37% higher than the national median of $62,640. California ranks 6th of 43 states for riggers pay. There are 0.12 riggers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for riggers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,190 | $25.57 |
| 25th percentile | $67,180 | $32.30 |
| Median | $85,730 | $41.22 |
| 75th percentile | $102,050 | $49.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,810 | $61.45 |
| Average (mean) | $87,230 | $41.94 |
Half of riggers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,144.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,572.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,297.31 |
| Weekly | $1,648.65 |
| Hourly | $41.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Rigger salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $96,880 | 1,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $82,370 | 140 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,940 | n/a |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $75,860 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $75,130 | 130 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $72,030 | 340 |
Highest-paying states for riggers
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $57,000 | $27.41 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | $72,560 | $34.88 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $74,400 | $35.77 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other | $51,230 | $24.63 |
| Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $129,040 | $62.04 |
| Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | $97,980 | $47.11 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $72,450 | $34.83 |
| Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $67,840 | $32.61 |
| Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers | $51,870 | $24.94 |
| Home Appliance Repairer | $58,480 | $28.12 |
| Mechanical Door Repairer | $59,560 | $28.64 |
| Millwright | $77,950 | $37.48 |
More: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 49-9096. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a rigger make in California?
The median salary for riggers in California is $85,730 a year, or $41.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid riggers make in California?
The top 10% of riggers in California earn at least $127,810 a year. The top 25% earn $102,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for riggers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,190 a year, and a quarter of riggers earn $67,180 or less.
How many riggers work in California?
About 2,260 riggers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.