How much does a millwright make?
Answer: A typical millwright in the United States makes $65,700 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 40,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Millwright pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $46,290 | $65,700 | $93,600 | about 40,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $89,190 | about 3,000 |
| Wisconsin | $82,630 | about 1,000 |
| Kansas | $79,690 | about 840 |
| New York | $79,560 | about 1,000 |
| California | $77,950 | about 2,000 |
Why does pay differ?
Millwrights in the United States may earn more as they gain experience and skills, or when they handle more complex jobs. Pay also varies by employer or industry and location; night, weekend, and overtime schedules can affect total earnings.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a millwright do?
Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.
What's a typical day like?
A millwright may read a blueprint, then use a hoist or crane to move machine parts into place. They assemble and align the parts with precision tools, then test or repair the machinery.
How to get this job
In the United States, a high school diploma or equivalent is typically needed, and most millwrights train through apprenticeships lasting up to four years. Apprentices learn on the job and study welding, math, blueprints, and troubleshooting.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Some millwrights must fit and align machinery to within one-thousandth of an inch—an incredibly tiny margin for giant equipment.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/industrial-machinery-mechani
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-9044.00
- www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-occupations/listings?occupationCode=49-904
- www.nwci.org/crafts/millwright
- www.bls.gov/oes/earnings.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY