Career comparison
Maintenance Supervisor vs. Millwright
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Maintenance supervisors earn more at the median ($79,860 vs. $65,700), while maintenance supervisors usually get to work faster (Several years of hands-on experience of training). Maintenance supervisors lead the mechanics and technicians who keep equipment running. 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
| Maintenance Supervisor | Millwright | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $79,860 ($38.39/hr) | $65,700 ($31.59/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $49,600 – $126,790 | $46,290 – $93,600 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.1% (about as fast as average) | +0.9% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 48,900 | 3,200 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Several years of hands-on experience | 4 years (apprenticeship) |
| Key credential | CMRP | Apprenticeship completion |
| Work setting | Supervisors work in plants, shops, fleet garages and facilities.. | Millwrights work in factories, power plants, mines and construction sites. |
What each job does
Maintenance Supervisor
- Assign work orders
- Plan preventive maintenance
- Supervise technicians
- Order parts
- Troubleshoot complex problems
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 teamwork. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose maintenance supervisor if…
- I’m a skilled technician
- I like leading crews
- I solve tough problems
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 Maintenance Supervisor fit quiz and the Millwright fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, maintenance supervisor or millwright?
Maintenance Supervisors earn more at the median: $79,860 versus $65,700 for millwrights, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Maintenance Supervisors typically train faster (Several years of hands-on experience) than millwrights (4 years (apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects maintenance supervisors to grow +4.1% from 2025–35, compared with +0.9% for millwrights.