Rigger salary and the national line
If you work as a rigger in Australia, you might wonder how your pay stacks up against the national full‑time average. The short answer is that no official rigger‑specific salary figure is published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) or Jobs and Skills Australia. But we can piece together a picture from industry averages, award rates, and typical working hours.
This page uses the Average Weekly Earnings survey from the ABS (May 2026) as the benchmark – the ‘line’ on this site. That line sits at $2,083.70 per week for full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings, or about $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52). We also draw on the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (August 2025) for medians, and Fair Work’s Modern Awards Pay Database for minimum rates.
What the data says about rigger pay
The ABS does not report earnings for the six‑digit occupation “Construction Rigger” (ANZSCO 821711). Jobs and Skills Australia’s profile for construction riggers states that median weekly earnings are not available for this occupation. That means we cannot give you a precise rigger salary from official sources.
However, the same profile tells us that 88% of riggers work full‑time, and the average full‑time hours are 52 hours per week – well above the standard 38‑hour week used for the national average. This is a crucial clue: riggers’ total weekly pay is often boosted by overtime, which is paid at penalty rates under modern awards.
How rigger pay compares to the national line
Because riggers are employed in the construction industry, we can look at the industry average. According to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings release, full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings in construction are $1,985.30 per week (about $103,236 a year). That is $98.40 per week below the national full‑time average.
But that industry figure is for ordinary‑time earnings only – it does not include overtime. A rigger working 52 hours at award rates could easily earn more than the industry ordinary‑time average. For example, if a rigger’s base rate is around $30 per hour (typical for a skilled construction worker under the Building and Construction Award), then 38 hours at ordinary time plus 14 hours at overtime rates (say time‑and‑a‑half for the first two hours and double time thereafter) could push weekly earnings to roughly $1,800–$2,200, depending on the exact classification and allowances. That range straddles the national line.
Factors that move rigger pay above or below the average
Several factors determine whether a rigger’s salary ends up above or below the national full‑time average:
1. Overtime and hours
Riggers work an average of 52 hours a week, according to the Census‑based profile. That extra 14 hours is the single biggest factor that can lift total pay above the line. The national average is based on a 38‑hour week; any occupation that regularly works longer hours will tend to have higher total earnings.
2. Award coverage and minimum rates
Most riggers are covered by the Building and Construction General On‑site Award 2020. From 1 July 2026, award minimum rates increased by 4.75% following the Annual Wage Review. The national minimum wage is now $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week), but award rates for riggers are higher. For example, a Level 3 rigger under the award might earn around $30–$33 per hour, plus allowances for working at heights, in confined spaces, or on multi‑storey sites. These allowances can add $2–$5 per hour.
3. Location
Rigger pay varies by state and territory. The national full‑time average differs across Australia, and construction wages follow similar patterns. For instance:
- Western Australia has the highest state average at $2,227.40 per week ($115,825 a year), driven by mining and resources work. Riggers in WA often earn more due to the mining sector.
- Tasmania has the lowest at $1,846.30 per week ($96,008 a year).
- New South Wales ($2,108.80), Victoria ($2,041.10), and Queensland ($2,039.70) are close to the national line.
A rigger working in a high‑wage state like WA or the ACT ($2,290.20) is more likely to be above the national average.
4. Industry sector
Riggers are not only in construction; some work in mining, manufacturing, or electricity, gas, water and waste services. Mining has the highest industry average at $3,224.20 per week ($167,658 a year). A rigger in mining would almost certainly earn well above the national line. Manufacturing averages $1,843.10, below the line.
5. Experience and qualifications
Experienced riggers with advanced tickets (e.g., dogging, crane operation) can command higher rates. The ABS does not publish earnings by experience, but award classifications reward skill levels.
Where to place a rigger salary on the line
If you are a rigger and want to see where your pay sits, you can place a salary on the line using our tool. Enter your annual pre‑tax salary, and we’ll show you how it compares to the national full‑time average, the full‑time median ($90,532), and the all‑employees median ($74,100).
You can also explore state and territory averages to see how location affects the comparison, or browse industry medians for construction and mining.
Summary
There is no single “rigger salary” figure from official sources, but the evidence suggests that a rigger working standard hours on award rates may earn slightly below the national full‑time average, while those working overtime or in high‑paying sectors like mining can earn significantly more. The key drivers are hours worked, location, and industry.
For the most accurate picture, check your award classification and add up your ordinary time, overtime, and allowances. Then compare it to the national line of $108,352 a year.
Further reading
- How the figures are set – explains the sources behind the line.
- Guides – articles on award rates, overtime, and salary negotiation.
- About this site – our methodology and data sources.