Industrial Maintenance Technician
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Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Millwright
Also called: Industrial Millwright · Machinery Erector · Maintenance Millwright · Industrial Mechanic
What millwrights do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a millwright do?
Millwrights install, dismantle, move, align and repair industrial machinery, such as conveyors, turbines, pumps and production lines, with precision measurement and rigging. The median pay is $65,700 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4 years (apprenticeship), and employment is projected to grow +0.9% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$65,700$31.59/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+0.9%2025–35, little or no change
- Openings per year3,200Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train4 years (apprenticeship)Typical program length
- U.S. jobs40,700Employment, 2025
What millwrights do
Millwrights bring machinery into plants, set it on foundations, align it to thousandths of an inch and keep it running. They read blueprints, rig and move heavy equipment, level and anchor machines, align shafts and couplings, and repair bearings, gearboxes and conveyors. They work in manufacturing, power generation, mining, warehouses and construction of new plants.
Most millwrights complete a four-year apprenticeship that combines paid work with classroom training in blueprint reading, rigging, welding and precision measurement. Skilled millwrights are in steady demand because modern plants depend on equipment that must run with very little downtime.
Typical duties
- Read blueprints and installation drawings
- Rig, move and set heavy machinery
- Level and anchor equipment to foundations
- Align shafts and couplings with precision tools
- Install and repair conveyors, pumps and gearboxes
- Replace bearings, seals and drive components
- Perform preventive and predictive maintenance
Work environment and schedule
Millwrights work in factories, power plants, mines and construction sites. The work involves heavy lifting, rigging, climbing and tight spaces, with noise and moving machinery.
Schedule: Most work full-time, with overtime during plant shutdowns and installations. Some travel to projects.
A day in the life
- Review the installation plan for a new packaging line and the day’s lifts.
- Rig and set a gearbox on its base with a forklift and chain hoist.
- Level the base with a machinist’s level and shim it.
- Perform laser shaft alignment between a motor and pump.
See a full day in the life of a millwright →
Millwright salary
Half of millwrights earned more than $65,700 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $46,290 for the lowest 10% to $93,600 for the top 10%.
Full millwright pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a millwright
- Finish high school
- Start as a helper or apprentice
- Learn rigging and precision measurement
- Become a journeyworker
- Specialize
A high school diploma is typical. Most millwrights complete a four-year apprenticeship through unions such as the United Brotherhood of Carpenters’ millwright programs or employer-sponsored programs.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a millwright →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Precision measurement
- Shaft and coupling alignment
- Rigging and hoisting
- Blueprint reading
- Bearing and gearbox repair
People skills
- Patience and precision
- Teamwork
- Problem solving
- Safety awareness
All millwright skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Paid apprenticeship training
- Precision, problem-solving work
- Demand across many industries
- Overtime during shutdowns
Cons
- Heavy, physical work
- Shutdown periods with long hours
- Travel for some project work
- Hazards from heavy loads and machinery
Certifications and licenses
- Apprenticeship completion: Journeyworker status from a registered apprenticeship.
- NCCER Millwright certification: Industry-recognized craft credentials.
- Rigger and signal person certification: Credentials for planning and signaling lifts.
- Vibration analysis certification: Such as ISO Category I for predictive maintenance.
Career path
- Millwright Apprentice: Learn rigging, alignment and repair.
- Journeyworker Millwright: Install and maintain machinery independently.
- Lead Millwright or Reliability Specialist: Handle precision work and predictive maintenance.
- Maintenance Supervisor or Planner: Lead crews and plan shutdowns.
Learn the job before day one
Our Millwright training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as align a motor and pump with a laser and level and set a machine base, safety and how to land your first job.
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Millwright FAQ
What’s the difference between a millwright and an industrial maintenance technician?
They overlap. Millwrights focus more on installing, moving and aligning heavy machinery.
How long is a millwright apprenticeship?
Usually about four years.
Do millwrights travel?
Some do, especially union millwrights working on installation projects.
How much does a millwright make?
The median annual wage for millwrights was $65,700 ($31.59 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $46,290 and the highest 10% earned more than $93,600.
How long does it take to become a millwright?
Most people need about 4 years (apprenticeship) of training. A high school diploma is typical. Most millwrights complete a four-year apprenticeship through unions such as the United Brotherhood of Carpenters’ millwright programs or employer-sponsored programs.
Do you need a degree to be a millwright?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus apprenticeship.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-9044 (Millwrights).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Millwrights (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.