Rigger salary in Tennessee
Riggers in Tennessee earn a median of $47,180 a year ($22.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,110 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $62,640. Tennessee ranks 39th of 43 states for riggers pay. There are 0.09 riggers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $48,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for riggers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| 25th percentile | $38,740 | $18.62 |
| Median | $47,180 | $22.68 |
| 75th percentile | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,110 | $27.46 |
| Average (mean) | $48,810 | $23.47 |
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 | $3,931.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,965.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,814.62 |
| Weekly | $907.31 |
| Hourly | $22.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Rigger salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $47,180 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $38,490 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for riggers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $105,600 |
| Oregon | $94,470 |
| Utah | $93,640 |
| Maryland | $91,420 |
| Minnesota | $87,120 |
| California | $85,730 |
| Hawaii | $84,410 |
| New Jersey | $82,130 |
| Illinois | $81,860 |
| Nevada | $81,720 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $65,010 | $31.26 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $83,660 | $40.22 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other | $48,200 | $23.17 |
| Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | $63,510 | $30.53 |
| Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other | $82,090 | $39.47 |
| Millwright | $61,810 | $29.72 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $64,790 | $31.15 |
| Home Appliance Repairer | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Mechanical Door Repairer | $51,790 | $24.90 |
More: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for riggers in Tennessee is $47,180 a year, or $22.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid riggers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of riggers in Tennessee earn at least $57,110 a year. The top 25% earn $49,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for riggers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,590 a year, and a quarter of riggers earn $38,740 or less.
How many riggers work in Tennessee?
About 310 riggers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.