Millwright: career path and pay in the US
Where a Millwright goes next, what each step typically pays in the United States, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 4 steps, from Millwright / Apprentice to Maintenance Manager / Industrial Maintenance Manager.
Also for the United Kingdom: Millwright in the UK
The path
Step 1 · 0 to 2 years
Millwright / Apprentice
$50K to $80K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Apprenticeship Program (in progress) - US/UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification (required) - Global.
Step 2 · 2 to 5 years
Millwright / Journeyman
$65K to $100K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Millwright Certification (optional) - Global, NVQ Level 3 Engineering Maintenance - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global.
Step 3 · 5 to 10 years
Master Millwright / Supervisor
$75K to $110K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Millwright Certification - Global, NVQ Level 4 Engineering Maintenance - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Supervisory Skills Certification (optional) - Global.
Step 4 · 10+ years
Maintenance Manager / Industrial Maintenance Manager
$75K to $115K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Millwright Certification - Global, NVQ Level 4 Engineering Maintenance - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Maintenance Management Certification (optional) - Global.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
24% → 24%
Stays level across the path. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
$50K to $80K → $75K to $115K
US estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US. Indeed publishes a hourly average for Millwright ($31.05); this band converts it at 40 hours a week. The published figure for Master Millwright sat below the previous step, so this band is set 12% above it.
What the work involves
Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Building and Construction
- Education and Training
- Engineering and Technology
- Public Safety and Security
Education people bring
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED): 46%
- Post-Secondary Certificate: 36%
- Some College Courses: 9%
Job Zone 2, job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Other paths from here
- Machinist
- Industrial Maintenance
- Maintenance Manager
- Operations Manager
More Skilled Trades paths in the US
Related occupations in O*NET: Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers, Maintenance and Repair Workers, General, Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Engine and Other Machine Assemblers, Boilermakers.
Your own role
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SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US, US national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to $5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.