In short
Millwrights earned a median $65,700 a year in May 2025, about $32 an hour, according to BLS. The bottom 10 percent earned under $46,290 and the top 10 percent over $93,600. The floor is higher than in many trades. Millwrights in power generation, outages and union industrial construction tend to reach the top of the range.
Yearly wages for millwrights across the U.S., BLS OEWS, May 2025. Hourly figures divide by 2,080 hours, so overtime is not counted. New apprentices usually sit near or below the bottom-quarter line.
| Middle pay | $65,700 a year, roughly $31.59 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| How most people start | High school or GED to start, then apprenticeship |
| People in the trade | About 40,700 nationwide (2025) |
| Growth to 2035 | BLS expects 0.9% growth |
| Openings a year | Around 3,200, counting retirements |
From the BLS Employment Projections table (2025 to 2035) and May 2025 wage survey. These are U.S. numbers. Local shops may pay above or below them, and apprentices start well under the middle figure.
What moves millwright pay
- Industry: power plants and heavy industry tend to pay more.
- Outage work: shutdowns bring long shifts and overtime.
- Alignment and rigging skill: precision specialists are in demand.
- Union scale: millwright locals negotiate wages and benefits.
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Straight answers
How much do millwrights make an hour?
The median works out to about $32 an hour.
Do millwrights make more than maintenance techs?
At the median, slightly: $65,700 versus $64,520 for industrial machinery mechanics in May 2025.
Do millwrights travel?
Some do, especially for outages and installation projects.