California Median
$85,730
per year
Hourly Rate
$41.22
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+37% vs US median
US median $62,640
State Rank
#6 of 43
2,260 employed here
How much does a Rigger make in California?
A Rigger working in California earns a median salary of $85,730 per year, or about $41.22 per hour. That is 37% above the national median of $62,640 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $53,190 while the top 10% make $127,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $67,180 and $102,050 a year.
Rigger salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,190 | $25.57 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $67,180 | $32.30 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $85,730 | $41.22 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $102,050 | $49.06 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,810 | $61.45 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 6th out of 43 states and territories for Rigger pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Rigger salary in other states
New York $105,600Oregon $94,470Utah $93,640Maryland $91,420Minnesota $87,120Hawaii $84,410New Jersey $82,130Illinois $81,860Nevada $81,720North Dakota $77,890Washington $77,100Colorado $73,720Idaho $72,850Connecticut $67,560Georgia $67,200Maine $64,910Rhode Island $64,260Virginia $63,620Mississippi $63,390Iowa $62,400Nebraska $61,080Pennsylvania $60,140Arkansas $59,680Michigan $58,490Ohio $58,380Alaska $58,010Alabama $57,980North Carolina $56,640Missouri $54,190Massachusetts $53,500Florida $52,390Arizona $52,370Texas $51,980South Carolina $51,020Kentucky $50,270Wisconsin $49,640Oklahoma $48,490Tennessee $47,180Indiana $46,090Louisiana $43,660Kansas $41,060New Mexico $37,440
Working as a Rigger in California
Nationally, about 23,000 people work as Riggers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($85,730) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Rigger make in California?
The median Rigger salary in California is $85,730 per year, or about $41.22 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $53,190 at the entry level to $127,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Riggers about 37% more than the national median of $62,640. California ranks 6th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Riggers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $85,730 a year. About 2,260 Riggers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Rigger salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.