Millwrights: Job Description
Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.
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What Do Millwrights Perform?
The core tasks performed by millwrights span:
- Replace defective parts of machine, or adjust clearances and alignment of moving parts.
- Align machines or equipment, using hoists, jacks, hand tools, squares, rules, micrometers, lasers, or plumb bobs.
- Insert shims, adjust tension on nuts and bolts, or position parts, using hand tools and measuring instruments, to set specified clearances between moving and stationary parts.
- Signal crane operator to lower basic assembly units to bedplate, and align unit to centerline.
- Conduct preventative maintenance and repair, and lubricate machines and equipment.
- Assemble and install equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
- Assemble machines, and bolt, weld, rivet, or otherwise fasten them to foundation or other structures, using hand tools and power tools.
- Move machinery and equipment, using hoists, dollies, rollers, and trucks.
What Millwrights Need to Know
Successful millwrights combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The competencies that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Other Millwrights Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Automated Equipment Engineer
- Automated Equipment Engineering Technician (Automated Equipment Engineering Tech)
- Automated Equipment Technician (Automated Equipment Tech)
- Automobile Equipment Engineer Technician (Auto Equipment Engineer Tech)
- Automobile Equipment Technician Engineer (Auto Equipment Tech Engineer)
- Construction Millwright
- Gear Repairer
- Industrial Machine Assembler
Job Outlook
There are roughly 127,573 millwrights working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +9.2% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Millwrights Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $69,067 |
| Hourly median | $33.21 |
| 10th percentile | $40,884 |
| 25th percentile | $54,976 |
| 75th percentile | $83,159 |
| 90th percentile | $97,251 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Millwrights Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Michigan | $83,240 |
| New Mexico | $82,520 |
| California | $78,810 |
| New York | $78,760 |
| Wisconsin | $76,730 |
| Washington | $76,300 |
| Colorado | $75,850 |
| Indiana | $75,710 |
| Missouri | $75,710 |
| Connecticut | $75,560 |
| Illinois | $75,510 |
| Ohio | $73,320 |
| Alaska | $72,790 |
| Maryland | $71,760 |
| New Jersey | $70,920 |
| Minnesota | $69,520 |
| Kansas | $68,680 |
| New Hampshire | $68,420 |
| Louisiana | $67,560 |
| West Virginia | $66,830 |
| Vermont | $66,760 |
| Kentucky | $65,520 |
| Massachusetts | $65,510 |
| Maine | $64,500 |
| Alabama | $63,330 |
| Iowa | $63,320 |
| North Dakota | $63,320 |
| Oregon | $63,190 |
| Nevada | $63,180 |
| North Carolina | $62,750 |
| Idaho | $62,710 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,610 |
| Utah | $62,480 |
| Nebraska | $62,080 |
| Texas | $61,910 |
| Oklahoma | $61,750 |
| Tennessee | $61,390 |
| Georgia | $61,090 |
| South Dakota | $60,410 |
| Wyoming | $60,060 |
| Montana | $59,950 |
| South Carolina | $59,870 |
| Arkansas | $59,510 |
| Arizona | $58,080 |
| Florida | $57,810 |
| Mississippi | $53,070 |
| Delaware | $51,330 |
| Virginia | $50,300 |
Where Millwrights Earn the Most
Pay for millwrights vary by region. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Lakes | $77,334 | 23.1% | 1.72 |
| Far Western US | $75,868 | 11.4% | 0.87 |
| New England | $68,414 | 1.6% | 1.25 |
| Middle Atlantic | $68,408 | 6.8% | 0.69 |
| Plains States | $67,701 | 10.1% | 2.02 |
| Rocky Mountains | $65,009 | 2.5% | 0.99 |
| Southwest | $61,454 | 11.0% | 0.89 |
| Southeast | $60,971 | 33.6% | 2.07 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $110,830 | 410 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | WA | $104,830 | 120 |
| Modesto, CA | CA | $98,270 | 70 |
| Albuquerque, NM | NM | $90,750 | 30 |
| Madison, WI | WI | $90,520 | 40 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $86,020 | 360 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $84,140 | 410 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | IN | $84,130 | 120 |
Industry Breakdown
Most millwrights work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 17,600 | $63,870 |
| Manufacturing | 14,500 | $67,550 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 3,390 | $63,940 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1,820 | $50,610 |
| Wholesale Trade | 1,510 | $51,780 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 580 | $80,280 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 400 | $75,680 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 190 | $81,710 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Software Millwrights Use
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Dassault Systemes SolidWorks (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
Daily working conditions for millwrights reflects the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
Education and Training
Typical millwrights positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Robotics Technicians (Supplemental)
- Boilermakers (Primary-Short)
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (Supplemental)
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers (Primary-Long)
- Helpers–Electricians (Supplemental)
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (Supplemental)
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment (Supplemental)
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines (Primary-Long)
Degree Programs
Aspiring millwrights commonly pursue programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
1 programs across 1 majors
References
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 49-9044.00 (Millwrights).
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