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Rigging supervisor

Also called rigging manager, lifting supervisor, rigging superintendent

Rigging supervisors oversee rigging operations. They manage and coordinate employees who operate lifting and rigging equipment. They organise the day-to-day working activities.

Will there be jobs?Limited prospects17 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Metal, machinery and related trades workersWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,200 (Bulgaria) to €5,100 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Metal, machinery and related trades workersWhat do I need to study?Upper secondary or vocational7 in 10 finished upper secondary or vocational training.Metal, machinery and related trades workersWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Riggers and cable splicers · ILO

What you'd do

Riggers and cable splicers · ILO
  • Estimating the size, shape and weight of objects to be moved and deciding on the type of equipment to move them
  • Installing and repairing cables, ropes, wires, pulleys and other tackle
  • Joining, repairing and fitting attachments to wires, ropes and cables
  • Working as member of crew erecting and repairing derricks for drilling water, gas and oil wells
  • Lifting and mounting scenery, lighting and other equipment in theatres and on film sets
  • Installing and maintaining communication towers, aerial cableways, funicular railways, ski lifts and similar infrastructure
Follow safety procedures when working at heightsInterpret 2D plansInterpret 3D plansWork ergonomicallyUnderstand rigging work orders+ 6 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors and outdoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines every day
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the similar US job "First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand"

Will there be jobs?

Limited prospects

Fewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.

People working as metal, machinery and related trades workers in the EU
7.34m7.68m7.01m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
1,868,000 replacing leavers 594,000 jobs disappear
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Metal, machinery and related trades workers17
All jobs29
Right now
2 of 27 countries report a shortage of riggers and cable splicers, 3 a surplus.
Riggers and cable splicers · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,200 a month (Bulgaria) to €5,100 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among craft and related trades workers in the EU, women earn 26% less per hour than men. Craft and related trades workers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Upper secondary or vocational

Upper secondary or vocational training is the usual route.

Highest qualification of metal, machinery and related trades workers (EU, 2025)
Degree 11%Vocational 62%General secondary 6%Basic schooling 21%

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.13 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 6 tasks
Estimating the size, shape and weight of objects to be moved and deciding on the type of equipment to move them0.16
Lifting and mounting scenery, lighting and other equipment in theatres and on film sets0.15
Joining, repairing and fitting attachments to wires, ropes and cables0.12
Installing and maintaining communication towers, aerial cableways, funicular railways, ski lifts and similar infrastructure0.11
Installing and repairing cables, ropes, wires, pulleys and other tackle0.10
Working as member of crew erecting and repairing derricks for drilling water, gas and oil wells0.10

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for riggers and cable splicers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).