How much does a millwright make?
The median millwright in the United States earns $65,700 per year, about $31.59 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all millwrights earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 49-9044.
Millwright salary range
Pay for millwrights spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $46,290 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $93,600. The average (mean) wage of $69,780 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,290 | $22.25 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $56,390 | $27.11 | |
| Median (50th) | $65,700 | $31.59 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $81,500 | $39.18 | |
| 90th percentile | $93,600 | $45.00 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for millwrights (SOC 49-9044), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Millwright salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Millwrights earn the most in New Jersey at $107,540 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $50,950. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $107,540 | 340 |
| New Mexico | $90,230 | 60 |
| Michigan | $89,190 | 2,900 |
| Wisconsin | $82,630 | 1,220 |
| Colorado | $81,440 | 200 |
| Kansas | $79,690 | 840 |
| New York | $79,560 | 1,000 |
| Minnesota | $78,570 | 480 |
| California | $77,950 | 2,230 |
| Indiana | $77,140 | 1,760 |
| Alaska | $76,940 | 300 |
| Connecticut | $76,810 | 110 |
| Washington | $76,490 | 1,020 |
| New Hampshire | $76,190 | 80 |
| Ohio | $73,220 | 1,930 |
| Oregon | $70,700 | 460 |
| Kentucky | $70,610 | 1,220 |
| Maine | $68,220 | 350 |
| West Virginia | $67,270 | 330 |
| Illinois | $66,640 | 2,160 |
| Missouri | $66,480 | 830 |
| Louisiana | $66,080 | 1,080 |
| Massachusetts | $65,220 | N/A |
| Idaho | $64,710 | 410 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,410 | 1,700 |
| Vermont | $64,180 | 60 |
| Nevada | $63,040 | 150 |
| Utah | $63,040 | 220 |
| North Carolina | $62,990 | 700 |
| Wyoming | $62,780 | 130 |
| Georgia | $62,760 | 1,780 |
| Texas | $62,630 | 3,540 |
| Iowa | $62,220 | 690 |
| Florida | $62,000 | 530 |
| South Dakota | $61,820 | 240 |
| Tennessee | $61,810 | 1,060 |
| South Carolina | $61,700 | 950 |
| Alabama | $61,410 | 1,400 |
| North Dakota | $60,750 | 170 |
| Nebraska | $60,320 | 590 |
| Montana | $60,050 | 70 |
| Maryland | $59,220 | 160 |
| Delaware | $58,770 | 90 |
| Mississippi | $58,280 | 1,280 |
| Arizona | $57,380 | 450 |
| Arkansas | $56,310 | 1,140 |
| Virginia | $51,430 | 690 |
| Oklahoma | $50,950 | 510 |
State median wages for millwrights (SOC 49-9044), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for millwrights
The BLS projects employment of millwrights to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 40,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 41,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,200 openings a year for millwrights. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a millwright
The typical entry-level education for millwrights is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete a formal apprenticeship to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a millwright earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $107,540) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $50,950) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 40,330 people work as millwrights in the United States. At $65,700 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Millwright salary FAQ
How much does a millwright make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a millwright is $31.59. The middle half of millwrights earn between $27.11 and $39.18 per hour.
What is the highest millwright salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of millwrights earn more than $93,600 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a millwright make a year?
The median annual salary for a millwright is $65,700. The average (mean) wage of $69,780 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a millwright a well paid job?
At $65,700 a year, a millwright earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 40,330 people work as millwrights in the United States.
Which state pays millwrights the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for millwrights at $107,540 a year. New Mexico ($90,230) and Michigan ($89,190) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a millwright a good career?
Employment of millwrights is projected to hold roughly steady 0.9% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a millwright?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for millwrights as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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