Uses climbing ropes and harnesses to reach and work on hard-to-access places like building facades, dams, bridges, tanks and wind turbines. BLS does not publish separate figures for riggers; it counts them within rigger (SOC 49-9096), whose median pay is $62,640 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 49-9096
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Industrial Rope Access Technician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $62,640a year, or $30.12/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $41KTop 10% $98K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +3.9%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+3.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +3.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,70022,500 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202522.5K
- Projected 203523.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 22.5K Projected 2035 23.4K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school21.2%
- High school62.9%
- Certificate16%
Highest education held by riggers Segment Value Less than high school 21.2% High school 62.9% Certificate 16%
Also advertised as: Rope Access Technician, SPRAT Technician, IRATA Technician, Rope Access Inspector, Industrial Climber.
Pay
How much do Riggers make?
Every industrial rope access technician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$62,640
Middle half earn $48,210 to $80,180
- 10th
- $40,680
- 25th
- $48,210
- 75th
- $80,180
- 90th
- $97,850
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $40,680 |
| 25th | $48,210 |
| Median | $62,640 |
| 75th | $80,180 |
| 90th | $97,850 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $62,640
- Median hourly wage
- $30.12/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $66,810
- People employed
- 22,530
Versus all US occupations
At $62,640, Riggers earn 23% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $11,660 a year.
Versus installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
The median is typical for the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair group, where the middle occupation pays $61,150.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $97,850 or more while the bottom 10% earn $40,680, a gap of 2.4×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 36% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New York pays the most at $105,600, and still leads at $97,849 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Riggers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New York | $105,600 | $97,849 | 650 |
| 2Oregon | $94,470 | $91,398 | 290 |
| 3Utah | $93,640 | $94,716 | 490 |
| 4Maryland | $91,420 | $87,101 | 230 |
| 5Minnesota | $87,120 | $88,338 | 190 |
| 6California | $85,730 | $77,430 | 2,260 |
| 7Hawaii | $84,410 | $76,771 | 170 |
| 8New Jersey | $82,130 | $75,484 | 200 |
| 9Illinois | $81,860 | $81,894 | 120 |
| 10Nevada | $81,720 | $81,737 | 860 |
Job outlook
Is Industrial Rope Access Technician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +3.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Riggers | +3.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Riggers to change 3.9% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 900 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,700 openings are projected each year, 7.6% of the 22,500 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become an Industrial Rope Access Technician
Rope access certification comes from two main bodies: the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians in North America and the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association, which is international. Both certify technicians at three levels, starting with a training course and assessment for Level 1 and requiring logged hours on ropes to advance to Levels 2 and 3.
No degree is needed, though employers prefer technicians with a trade skill or inspection certification. Many people enter from climbing, the military, construction or industrial painting. Rope access companies often hire new Level 1 technicians as part of a crew and help them build hours toward higher levels.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as riggers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)62.9%
- Less than a High School Diploma21.2%
- Post-Secondary Certificate16%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 62.9% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 21.2% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 16% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Industrial Rope Access Technician do?
Industrial rope access technicians use a two-rope system of working and backup lines to reach places where scaffolding, cranes or lifts would be impractical. Once in position, they perform skilled work: inspecting facades, welding, nondestructive testing, painting, installing netting, repairing concrete, cleaning, or installing equipment.
Rope access is used on high-rise buildings, bridges, dams, stadiums, refineries, offshore platforms, wind turbines and inside tanks and silos. Teams plan each job with a rescue plan, rig anchors and ropes, and work under a Level 3 supervisor. Many technicians pair rope skills with a second trade, such as NDT inspection or welding, which makes them more valuable.
Day-to-day tasks
- Rig anchors, working lines and backup lines for rope access work
- Descend and position on ropes to reach work areas
- Inspect building facades, bridges, tanks and structures
- Perform repairs, painting, welding or installation while suspended
- Carry out nondestructive testing at height where certified
- Prepare and practice rescue plans for each job
- Inspect and maintain harnesses, ropes and hardware
- Log rope access hours and job details for certification
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Rope access work is at height, often outdoors in wind, heat or cold, and sometimes inside confined spaces such as tanks and boilers. Projects are short and varied, and many technicians travel widely, including to offshore and international jobs. The work requires strength, endurance and steady nerves.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Active Listening3.1
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Active Learning2.6
- Writing2.4
- Mathematics1.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 2.6 |
| Writing | 2.4 |
| Mathematics | 1.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operation and Control3.3
- Coordination3.1
- Operations Monitoring3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Equipment Selection2.9
- Troubleshooting2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Equipment Selection | 2.9 |
| Troubleshooting | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Industrial Rope Access Technician?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RCI) built on O*NET's Rigger profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Industrial Rope Access Technician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional4.5
- Investigative3.4
- Enterprising1.9
- Artistic1.4
- Social1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Industrial Rope Access Technician
O*NET related occupations
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Transportation and Material Moving
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanic, Except Engines
$65,510median a year
Most earn $47K to $94K
+6.7%High school - Transportation and Material Moving
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator
$46,420median a year
Most earn $37K to $63K
+1.5%No formal credential - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
More installation, maintenance, and repair careers
Median annual pay, with riggers highlighted
- Aircraft Mechanic$79,870
- Millwright$65,700
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic$64,520
- Industrial Rope Access Technician$62,640
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist$61,770
- Medical Equipment Repairer$61,660
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer$61,010
- Automotive Body and Related Repairer$54,890
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic$50,620
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanic | $79,870 |
| Millwright | $65,700 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $64,520 |
| Industrial Rope Access Technician | $62,640 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist | $61,770 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $61,660 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer | $61,010 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairer | $54,890 |
| Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic | $50,620 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Industrial Rope Access Technician appears on
Questions
Industrial Rope Access Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Riggers make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for riggers. It counts them within rigger, whose median pay is $62,640 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $48,210 and $80,180, and the top 10% earn $97,850 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Industrial Rope Access Technician?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Riggers. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 62.9% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Industrial Rope Access Technician a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 3.9% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Industrial Rope Access Technician do?
Industrial rope access technicians use a two-rope system of working and backup lines to reach places where scaffolding, cranes or lifts would be impractical. A typical task: rig anchors, working lines and backup lines for rope access work. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Electronic mail software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Riggers the most?
The highest state medians for Riggers are New York ($105,600), Oregon ($94,470), Utah ($93,640) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Industrial Rope Access Technician?
O*NET scores Riggers highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.