Career comparison
Electric Motor Repairer vs. Millwright
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Millwrights earn more at the median ($65,700 vs. $56,210), while electric motor repairers usually get to work faster (Several months to a year of training). Electric motor repairers test, rewind and rebuild electric motors, generators and power tools. Millwrights install, align and maintain the heavy machinery in factories, plants and power stations.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Electric Motor Repairer | Millwright | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $56,210 ($27.02/hr) | $65,700 ($31.59/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,100 – $85,200 | $46,290 – $93,600 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.4% (about as fast as average) | +0.9% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 1,400 | 3,200 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Several months to a year | 4 years (apprenticeship) |
| Key credential | EASA training | Apprenticeship completion |
| Work setting | Repairers work in motor shops, factories and field service.. | Millwrights work in factories, power plants, mines and construction sites. |
What each job does
Electric Motor Repairer
- Test motors for faults
- Disassemble motors
- Rewind coils
- Replace bearings and brushes
- Balance rotors
Millwright
- 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
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, and indoor work. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose electric motor repairer if…
- I like how motors work
- I’m patient
- I like precision
Choose millwright if…
- I like big machines and precise work
- I enjoy measuring and aligning things exactly
- I can handle heavy, physical work
Still torn? Take the Electric Motor Repairer fit quiz and the Millwright fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, electric motor repairer or millwright?
Millwrights earn more at the median: $65,700 versus $56,210 for electric motor repairers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Electric Motor Repairers typically train faster (Several months to a year) than millwrights (4 years (apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects electric motor repairers to grow +4.4% from 2025–35, compared with +0.9% for millwrights.