ground rigger
Key facts
Interested in a career that combines precision, teamwork, and supporting live performances? As a ground rigger, you'll be a vital part of the rigging crew, ensuring the safe and efficient setup of equipment for shows, concerts, and events.
Ground riggers play a crucial supporting role in the rigging process, working closely with high riggers to assemble temporary suspension structures. You'll follow instructions and plans to prepare the ground and lower equipment, ensuring everything is in place for a successful performance. This role requires a strong attention to detail and the ability to work both indoors and outdoors in various conditions.
- • Assisting level riggers with the assembly of suspension structures.
- • Following detailed instructions and rigging plans to ensure accuracy.
- • Lowering and positioning equipment under the direction of high riggers.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Metal, machinery and related trades workers — 106 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Malta and 1 more.
Longest-running shortage: Belgium, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
Explore More
Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could ground rigger fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Support?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?
Future Outlook for ground rigger
The outlook for ground rigger reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could ground rigger change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could ground rigger change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- work ergonomically
- use personal protection equipment
- work with respect for own safety
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- use technical documentation
- store performance equipment
- work safely with machines
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Construction
A typical day as a ground rigger
09 09:00 · Morning assemble performance equipment
10 10:30 · Mid-morning assemble truss constructions
12 12:00 · Midday store performance equipment
14 14:00 · Afternoon use communication equipment
15 15:30 · Late afternoon work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision
17 17:00 · Wrap-up organise resources for artistic production
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
-
work ergonomically
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
-
use personal protection equipment
Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
-
work with respect for own safety
Apply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.
-
work safely with machines
Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
-
use communication equipment
Set up, test and operate different types of communication equipment such as transmission equipment, digital network equipment, or telecommunications equipment.
-
assemble performance equipment
Set up sound, light and video equipment on stage before performance event according to specifications.
-
organise resources for artistic production
Coordinate human, material and capital resources within artistic productions, based on the given documentation e.g. scripts.
-
work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision
Take the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.
-
use technical documentation
Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.
-
assemble truss constructions
Use trusses, metal structures that derive strength from their construction involving triangular shapes, to construct stages for performances.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
Take the free Career DNA assessment to see how ground rigger aligns with your interests, work style, and future path. In less than 10 minutes, you will get a personalized fit signal and a roadmap for what to do next.
Scan to continue on mobileGrowth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does ground rigger fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of training or experience is helpful for becoming a ground rigger?
- While formal qualifications may vary, a strong understanding of safety protocols, basic rigging principles, and a willingness to learn are essential. Experience in construction, stagecraft, or similar fields can be beneficial. Observing experienced riggers and seeking mentorship is highly recommended.
- How closely do ground riggers work with high riggers?
- Ground riggers work in very close collaboration with high riggers. Communication is key to ensuring the safe and efficient movement of equipment. You'll be receiving instructions and providing feedback on ground-level conditions.
- Are ground rigger roles typically freelance or employee-based?
- Ground rigger positions are primarily employee-based, often within event production companies, theaters, or entertainment venues. Opportunities may occasionally exist on a contract basis, but a stable employment arrangement is the most common.
- Ground Rigger — is there a shortage in Europe?
- No. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a surplus was reported in 3 of the 5 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Bulgaria, Finland. 2 countries reported a shortage. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Ground Rigger — what does it pay in the United States?
- $62,060 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $37,440 to $105,600. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.