Prevailing Wage for Riggers
Prevailing wage for Riggers, the DOL occupational category covering Heavy Lift Riggers, Gantry Riggers, and related assembly and hoisting specialists, is set by the Department of Labor across four experience levels. Whether you work as a Hand Rigger on a construction site or a Marine Rigger in a shipyard, the wage floor varies significantly by city.
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Entry-level riggers with limited on-the-job experience, typically performing routine hoisting and rigging tasks under close supervision. Workers at this level follow established procedures and have not yet developed independent judgment on load calculations or equipment selection.
Qualified riggers with moderate experience who handle standard rigging setups with general supervision. Level 2 is the most common filing level for this occupation, covering workers who can independently assess load requirements and select appropriate rigging hardware for typical projects.
Experienced riggers who manage complex or specialized rigging operations with minimal oversight. Workers at this level often mentor junior crew, troubleshoot non-routine lifts, and may coordinate multi-point rigging systems on large construction or industrial projects.
Fully competent senior riggers who serve in lead or supervisory capacities. These workers take full responsibility for rigging plans, safety compliance, and crew coordination on high-consequence lifts, including heavy industrial machinery moves or large-scale structural installations.
Prevailing Wage for Riggers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Riggers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Riggers
Watch for title mismatches on your LCA
Employers sometimes post roles as 'Machinery Mover' or 'Machinery Erector' but file the LCA under a different SOC, missing the Riggers prevailing wage floor entirely. Confirm your offer letter title matches the SOC 49-9096 filing before signing.
Prioritize metro areas with strong union density
Rigging work in metros like New York and Seattle commands wages well above the national median, largely driven by unionized construction and maritime sectors. Targeting these markets at Level 2 or Level 3 can significantly narrow the gap with cost of living.
Exclude overtime when checking your offer against the floor
Riggers frequently receive overtime pay on project-based work, but DOL prevailing wage calculations use the base hourly or annualized straight-time rate only. Overtime premiums and shift differentials do not count toward meeting the wage floor on your LCA.
Search Migrate Mate for employers with Riggers sponsorship history
Construction and industrial employers vary widely in willingness to sponsor rigging roles. Migrate Mate shows which companies have historically sponsored Riggers, so you can focus your job search on employers already familiar with the H-1B or green card process for this occupation.
Jobs for Riggers are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for RiggersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 49-9096.00 alongside Riggers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Gantry Rigger Prevailing Wage
Gantry Rigger Prevailing Wage
Gantry Rigger positions fall under SOC 49-9096.00 (Riggers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Hand Rigger Prevailing Wage
Hand Rigger Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Hand Rigger for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-9096.00 (Riggers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Heavy Lift Rigger Prevailing Wage
Heavy Lift Rigger Prevailing Wage
Heavy Lift Rigger is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-9096.00 (Riggers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Machinery Erector Prevailing Wage
Machinery Erector Prevailing Wage
Machinery Erector positions fall under SOC 49-9096.00 (Riggers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Machinery Mover Prevailing Wage
Machinery Mover Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Machinery Mover for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-9096.00 (Riggers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Marine Rigger Prevailing Wage
Marine Rigger Prevailing Wage
Marine Rigger is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-9096.00 (Riggers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Motor Rigger Prevailing Wage
Motor Rigger Prevailing Wage
Motor Rigger positions fall under SOC 49-9096.00 (Riggers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Rigging Fabricator Prevailing Wage
Rigging Fabricator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Rigging Fabricator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-9096.00 (Riggers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Ship Rigger Prevailing Wage
Ship Rigger Prevailing Wage
Ship Rigger is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-9096.00 (Riggers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Riggers?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to establish prevailing wages for each occupation. For Riggers under SOC 49-9096, DOL assigns a wage to each of four experience levels within a specific geographic area. Employers file a Labor Condition Application with OFLC certifying they will pay at least the applicable prevailing wage for the worksite location and level.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify mine?
The four levels reflect experience and autonomy. Level 1 covers entry-level workers under close supervision. Level 2 applies to workers performing standard rigging tasks with general oversight, and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 covers experienced workers managing complex lifts independently. Level 4 applies to senior or lead riggers with full supervisory responsibility. Your level should reflect your actual duties and experience, not just your job title.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Riggers role differ so much between cities?
DOL calculates prevailing wages from regional OES surveys, which capture local labor market conditions. Wages in metro areas with dense construction activity, active shipyards, or strong union presence, such as New York or Seattle, reflect higher local rates. The LCA must list the actual worksite address, so the wage floor is determined by where you physically work, not where the employer is headquartered. OFLC applies the survey data for that specific area.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
If the offered wage falls below the DOL prevailing wage for the applicable level and location, OFLC will not certify the LCA, and the H-1B or PERM process cannot proceed. USCIS also reviews wage compliance independently. An employer cannot substitute benefits, bonuses, or allowances to make up the shortfall. The base wage stated in the LCA must meet or exceed the prevailing wage floor before any petition is filed.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a Riggers position in a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up the current DOL prevailing wage for SOC 49-9096 in the metro area where the job is located. Select the correct area of intended employment and the wage level that matches your experience. You can also reference the O*NET profile for Riggers to confirm job zone and typical duties. For finding employers with a track record of sponsoring this role, Migrate Mate filters listings by occupation and shows historical sponsorship counts by employer.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Riggers right now.
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