Sheet and structural metal workers, moulders and welders, and other related workers

How to become a rigger or cable splicer

Official title: Riggers and cable splicers

Also called: Cable and rope splicer, Rigger, Ship rigger, Theatrical rigger, Tower rigger

Riggers and cable splicers assemble rigging gear to move and position equipment and structural components, or install and maintain cables, ropes and wires on construction sites, buildings or other structures.

Main tasks

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 a 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

Ways in

Licence or registration: Registering body: Construction Industry Council. Law: Construction Workers Registration Ordinance (建造業工人註冊條例), Cap. 583. Summary by Peernovo; check the body's current rules.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: HK$21,000 a month
About 387,500 people in 2025, and about 403,200 projected by 2028. (+4.1%)
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Questions people ask

Do you need a degree to become a rigger or cable splicer?

Usually not. Only 4% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a rigger or cable splicer?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

Census and Statistics Department (2021 Population Census): 2021 Population Census, Interactive Data Dissemination Service: working population by occupation (38 groups) and sex, age, education, income; median income and field of education (9 groups) (2021 Population Census), retrieved 4 October 2026
Census and Statistics Department (General Household Survey): Median monthly employment earnings by occupation (9 groups), excluding foreign domestic helpers (Table 210-06317A); employed persons by occupation, age and sex (210-06307A) and by industry (210-06308A) (2025 annual (series to 2026-07)), retrieved 4 October 2026
Labour and Welfare Bureau; tables published by C&SD: Mid-term Update of Manpower Projection to 2028: supplementary statistical tables (5 occupation groups, 17 selected industries) (2025 to 2028 (published 2026-09)), retrieved 4 October 2026
Census and Statistics Department: Average daily wages of workers engaged in public sector construction projects, 39 trades (Table 220-20001) (Monthly, 2021 series, 2026-07), retrieved 4 October 2026
International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026

Updated 4 October 2026