How much does a millwrights make?

The median millwrights salary in the United States is $65,700 per year ($31.59/hour). Salaries range from $46,290 (10th percentile) to $93,600 (90th percentile). There are 40,330 millwrights jobs in the U.S. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.

Which state pays millwrightss the most?

The highest paying state for millwrightss is New Jersey at $107,540 median salary.

Is millwrights a good career?

Millwrights employment is projected to grow 0% from 2024 to 2034 (slower than average). There are approximately 3,600 job openings per year. Typical education required: High school diploma or equivalent.

What is the career ladder for millwrightss?

The typical millwrights career ladder: Millwright Helper (0-2 yrs, $38-52k ($18-24/hr)) → Apprentice Millwright (Year 1-4) (1-4 yrs, $46-82k stepping up every 6-12 months) → Journeyman Millwright (4-10 yrs, $75-118k depending on region, union, and specialty) → Specialty / Foreman / General Foreman (10+ yrs, $105-165k+ with per diem on shutdowns).

What certifications should millwrightss get?

Top-ROI certifications for millwrightss: OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 Construction ($60-250 combined); NCCER Millwright Levels 1-4 ($0-1,200 depending on employer sponsorship); UBC Millwright Apprenticeship (or NCCER-based non-union) (Free (union- and employer-paid); apprentice dues).

How do you negotiate a millwrights salary?

Anchor on documented market data (BLS median $65,700, p75 $81,500), specific outcomes you've delivered, and the specific band for your years of experience. Ten years journeyman UBC Millwright, Category II Vibration Analyst, NCCCO Rigger Level 1, and AWS D1.1 stick welding certification. Market for a Foreman with my paperwork on Gulf Coast turnaround work is $58-65/hr union...

Millwrights Salary

Q: What interview questions are asked for millwrights roles?

Common millwrights interview questions include: "Walk me through aligning a motor to a pump using laser alignment.", "You're rigging a 12-ton motor for a lift and the plant safety officer wants an updated lift plan. What do you do?", "How do you diagnose a bearing that's failing but not yet failed?". Interview format at top employers ranges from behavioral panels (STAR method) to technical case rounds — for example UBC Millwright Local signatory contractors (Union) typically uses 3-4 phases over 3-9 months (batch intake).

The median millwrights salary in the United States is $65,700 per year ($31.59/hour). Salaries range from $46,290 at the entry level to $93,600+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 40,330 millwrights jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 0% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asMillwright

Median Salary

$65,700

per year

Hourly Rate

$31.59

per hour

Employment

40,330

jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile

$46,290

25th percentile

$56,390

Median

$65,700

75th percentile

$81,500

90th percentile

$93,600

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+0%

Slower than average

Annual Openings

3,600

jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

High school diploma or equivalent

Training Needed

Apprenticeship

Millwrights Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for millwrightss.

Millwrights install, dismantle, repair, and maintain heavy industrial machinery in manufacturing plants, power generation, pulp and paper mills, food and beverage processing, cement, steel, and shipyard operations. The trade combines mechanical precision, rigging, welding, and machinery alignment. Entry helpers $38-50k ($18-24/hr); apprentices step up over 4 years; journeyman millwrights $75-118k with strong OT; senior/specialty millwrights on turbines, precision alignment, or shutdowns $105-158k+ with per diem. The United Brotherhood of Carpenters Millwright locals dominate the union side; ABC and open-shop industrial contractors on the non-union side.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Precision alignment

Laser alignment (Fluke, Prüftechnik), reverse dial indicator methods, soft-foot correction, thermal growth compensation. Precision alignment on pumps, motors, gearboxes, and turbines is the millwright hallmark.

Rigging and lifting

Sling selection (nylon, wire rope, chain), load calculation and center-of-gravity, crane and forklift signaling, and jib and hoist operation. NCCCO rigger certification for critical lifts.

Machine installation and leveling

Setting equipment on foundations, epoxy grouting, leveling to mils, and shim work. Getting a 40-ton press level to within 0.002 inch across a 20-foot bed.

Welding and cutting

Stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), and flux-core (FCAW). Oxy-acetylene cutting. AWS D1.1 structural welding certifications add pay.

Mechanical drives and power transmission

Belt and chain drives, gearboxes, couplings, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, and shaft-to-shaft power transmission troubleshooting.

Bearings, seals, and lubrication

Bearing installation with dial indicators or induction heaters, seal replacement, and lubrication regimen understanding for anti-friction bearings and gearboxes.

Vibration analysis basics

FFT spectrum reading, unbalance vs misalignment signatures, and using vibration data to plan alignment and rebuild work. Certified Category I/II Vibration Analyst for senior tracks.

How to Become a Millwrights

1
Complete high school with basic math (algebra) and a driver's license
UBC Millwright apprenticeship aptitude tests require math. Clean driving record is required for company trucks and travel to remote sites.
2
Complete OSHA 10 and first aid/CPR
Required on nearly every industrial jobsite. Some employers require OSHA 30 within 90 days.
3
Take a helper role at $38-50k on a millwright crew or industrial maintenance shop
Union (UBC Millwright Local) or non-union industrial contractors, pulp and paper mills, power plants, and food processing plants all hire helpers.
4
Apply to the UBC Millwright apprenticeship or a non-union NCCER program
4-year paid apprenticeship with wage steps every 6-12 months. 216 classroom hours + 2,000 OJT hours per year.
5
Advance to journeyman at 4 years, then specialty (turbine, precision alignment, vibration)
Journeyman rate depends on region and industry: $32-58/hr on the union side, $28-42/hr non-union. Turbine and boiler millwrights, shutdown specialists, and precision-alignment techs command the top of the range.

Career Progression

Millwright Helper

0-2 yrs$38-52k ($18-24/hr)

•Move material, fetch tools, and prep jobsite
•Assist journeyman on installations and alignments
•Learn rigging basics and safety
•Complete OSHA 10 and apprentice paperwork

Next: Apprentice at 6-18 months.

Apprentice Millwright (Year 1-4)

1-4 yrs$46-82k stepping up every 6-12 months

•Work under a journeyman on installations, alignments, and rebuilds
•Complete 216 classroom + 2,000 OJT hours per year
•Master rigging, welding, and precision measurement
•Pass each period's testing

Next: Journeyman card at completion.

Journeyman Millwright

4-10 yrs$75-118k depending on region, union, and specialty

•Own daily production on installations, alignments, and rebuilds
•Read prints and troubleshoot machinery independently
•Handle rigging on critical lifts
•Mentor apprentices and helpers

Next: Specialty (Turbine/Vibration) or Foreman at 8-14 years.

Specialty / Foreman / General Foreman

10+ yrs$105-165k+ with per diem on shutdowns

•Run a crew of 5-25 on industrial projects and shutdowns
•Coordinate with plant maintenance, engineering, and safety
•Own scope, schedule, and safety on the section
•Bid and estimate for the contractor's operations team

Next: Superintendent, project manager, or contractor owner.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through aligning a motor to a pump using laser alignment.technical

Confirm the machine is locked out and cool. Attach the laser heads to the motor and pump shafts with the correct offset per the manufacturer's guide. Set the coupling gap and shim requirements. Take readings at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. Correct for soft foot first — a soft foot invalidates every subsequent alignment reading. Then adjust vertical (shims) and horizontal (bolt jacking or hammer) until you're within tolerance (typically 0.002 inch parallel and 0.5 mil per inch angular). Log the readings. Never sign off an alignment without a post-alignment reading below tolerance.

Q2. You're rigging a 12-ton motor for a lift and the plant safety officer wants an updated lift plan. What do you do?situational

Do not lift without a proper plan. Write a lift plan including load weight, rigging configuration, sling angles and reduction factors, spotter and signaler assignments, exclusion zone, communication protocol, and emergency stop. Verify sling working load limit at the actual sling angle (a sling at 30 degrees loses 50% of its rated capacity). Do a tailgate meeting with everyone involved. Foremen and safety officers screen for millwrights who plan critical lifts formally.

Q3. How do you diagnose a bearing that's failing but not yet failed?technical

Vibration analysis is the primary tool — bearing fault signatures show up in the high-frequency spectrum (envelope demodulation, PeakVue). Temperature trending, ultrasonic listening, and oil analysis (metal particles) all support. Once you've confirmed the bearing, plan the swap during scheduled outage rather than waiting for catastrophic failure. Millwrights who catch bearings early save the plant hundreds of thousands in downtime.

Q4. Which industries have you worked in?technical

Name them by type: pulp and paper, power (fossil, nuclear, wind), food and beverage, cement, mining, refining, chemical, steel. Each industry has specific equipment (paper machines, turbines, mills, evaporators, kilns). Foremen dispatch based on industry fluency; millwrights with 3-4 industries earn more.

Q5. Where do you see your career in 5 years?closer

Journeyman card at year 4, then specialty (turbine, precision alignment, vibration analysis) or foreman track. Some millwrights pursue Category II Vibration Analyst or turbine specialty for the highest-paid work. Foremen and business agents invest in millwrights with direction.

Resume Template — Journeyman Millwright (4-10 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Journeyman Millwright (4-10 yrs)

▸Journeyman UBC Millwright Local [#]; 6 years pulp and paper and food processing installations.
▸Certified in laser alignment (Fluke 830), OSHA 30, NCCCO Rigger Level 1, AWS D1.1 stick welding.
▸Zero incidents in 6 years; participated in 3 major shutdowns delivering on schedule.
▸$45/hr union rate + $175/day per diem on shutdowns; $118k annual with OT.

What Gets You Rejected

✗Weak on precision — millwrights are measured in mils, not fractions of an inch.
✗Poor rigging discipline — a bad lift can be fatal.
✗Fear of heights or confined spaces — daily on turbines, digesters, and mill machines.
✗Cannot weld to AWS D1.1 standards — a hard gate for many shutdown crews.
✗Ignores lockout/tagout — every millwright fatality includes an LOTO failure.
✗Weak documentation — alignments and rebuilds without recorded data can't be defended in audits or troubleshooting.

Salary Negotiation Levers

✓UBC Millwright Local (union) pays 30-60% more than non-union industrial maintenance.
✓Turbine outages (power, nuclear) and refinery shutdowns pay $8-20/hr above straight time + per diem ($175-250/day).
✓Precision alignment specialty and Category II Vibration Analyst each add $5-15/hr.
✓AWS D1.1 stick, MIG, and TIG welding certifications each add $2-6/hr.
✓NCCCO Rigger Levels 1 and 2 open critical-lift assignments and $2-5/hr in premium.
✓Metro cost-of-living matters — Gulf Coast, Great Lakes, and West Coast pay $8-15/hr above rural averages.
✓Shutdown-heavy contractors (turnarounds, outages) pay $15-30k more per year in OT than steady maintenance shops.

Millwrights Resume Review — $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired millwrightss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

✓ Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
✓ Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
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✓ Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
✓ 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it

Millwrights Career Kit — $19

✓ All 13 interview questions with expert answers
✓ 6 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
✓ Interview format intel for 6 top employers
✓ 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
✓ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
✓ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
✓ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
✓ Detailed salary negotiation script
✓ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
✓ Downloadable PDF for offline access
✓ Instant access, no expiration, no subscription

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Millwrights Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →

Salary Map — Click a state for details

$51K

$108K■ No data

Top Paying States

Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.

State	Median	vs. National	Employment
New Jersey	$107,540	+63.7%	340
New Mexico	$90,230	+37.3%	60
Michigan	$89,190	+35.8%	2,900
Wisconsin	$82,630	+25.8%	1,220
Colorado	$81,440	+24.0%	200
Kansas	$79,690	+21.3%	840
New York	$79,560	+21.1%	1,000
Minnesota	$78,570	+19.6%	480
California	$77,950	+18.6%	2,230
Indiana	$77,140	+17.4%	1,760

Showing 1–10 of 48

Millwrights Salary by Metro Area

Metro Area	Median	vs. National
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$113,490	+72.7%
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$107,700	+63.9%
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$99,250	+51.1%
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$93,070	+41.7%
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$91,850	+39.8%
Fort Wayne, IN	$91,410	+39.1%
Kansas City, MO-KS	$91,380	+39.1%
Topeka, KS	$91,170	+38.8%
Saginaw, MI	$91,010	+38.5%
Madison, WI	$90,750	+38.1%

Showing 1–10 of 139

Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.

How does this compare to pro athletes?

A millwrights earning $65,700/year would need 907 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 974 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.

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📈 See how millwrights salaries have changed over the past decade.

View Millwrights salary trend (2011–2024) →