Do industrial machinery mechanics make more than millwrights?

Nationally, millwrights earn more: a median of $65,700 a year vs $64,520 for industrial machinery mechanics, a gap of $1,180 (about 2%) (BLS OEWS May 2025).

What is the pay range for industrial machinery mechanics vs millwrights?

Industrial machinery mechanics earn $55,010 to $78,780 a year between the 25th and 75th percentiles, with a median of $64,520. Millwrights earn $56,390 to $81,500, with a median of $65,700 (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Where do industrial machinery mechanics and millwrights earn the most?

Among the states TradesPays covers, industrial machinery mechanics earn the highest median in Washington ($77,220 a year) and millwrights in New Jersey ($107,540) (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Which trade employs more people, industrial machinery mechanics or millwrights?

BLS counts 439,640 industrial machinery mechanics nationwide vs 40,330 millwrights (OEWS May 2025).

Which trade pays more in my state?

It varies by state. The Industrial Machinery Mechanic and Millwright pay-by-state tables on TradesPays list the median in every covered state, and the compare tool at tradespays.com/compare puts both trades side by side in any state.

Industrial Machinery Mechanic vs Millwright: which trade pays more?

Both trades side by side on the same BLS OEWS May 2025 data: national percentiles, union scales where a local publishes one, and the metros where both are measured.

In 2026, millwrights out-earn industrial machinery mechanics nationally: the median is $65,700 a year for millwrights vs $64,520 for industrial machinery mechanics, a gap of $1,180 (about 2%) (BLS OEWS May 2025). Last updated June 2026.

Industrial Machinery Mechanic vs Millwright pay, nationally

Measure	Industrial Machinery Mechanic	Millwright
Median pay	$64,520/yr	$65,700/yr
25th percentile	$55,010	$56,390
75th percentile	$78,780	$81,500
Workers nationwide (BLS)	439,640	40,330
Highest-paying state	Washington ($77,220)	New Jersey ($107,540)

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Wages are nominal, not cost-of-living adjusted.

Where both trades are measured: metro by metro

Metros where BLS publishes a median for both trades, ranked by combined employment. Gap is the industrial machinery mechanic median minus the millwright median: positive means industrial machinery mechanics earn more in that metro.

Metro	Industrial Machinery Mechanic	Millwright	Gap
Houston, TX	$63,180	$67,750	−$4,570/yr
Dallas, TX	$63,380	$65,500	−$2,120/yr
New York, NY	$75,260	$93,070	−$17,810/yr
Chicago, IL	$75,800	$74,730	+$1,070/yr
Los Angeles, CA	$72,090	$99,250	−$27,160/yr
Detroit, MI	$71,100	$91,850	−$20,750/yr

Compare by state

National medians hide big state swings. Every covered state's median for each trade is on its hub, and the compare tool puts both trades side by side in any state.

Industrial Machinery Mechanic pay by state →Millwright pay by state →Pick a state and compare →

Industrial Machinery Mechanic vs Millwright: FAQ

Do industrial machinery mechanics make more than millwrights?: Nationally, millwrights earn more: a median of $65,700 a year vs $64,520 for industrial machinery mechanics, a gap of $1,180 (about 2%) (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the pay range for industrial machinery mechanics vs millwrights?: Industrial machinery mechanics earn $55,010 to $78,780 a year between the 25th and 75th percentiles, with a median of $64,520. Millwrights earn $56,390 to $81,500, with a median of $65,700 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Where do industrial machinery mechanics and millwrights earn the most?: Among the states TradesPays covers, industrial machinery mechanics earn the highest median in Washington ($77,220 a year) and millwrights in New Jersey ($107,540) (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Which trade employs more people, industrial machinery mechanics or millwrights?: BLS counts 439,640 industrial machinery mechanics nationwide vs 40,330 millwrights (OEWS May 2025).
Which trade pays more in my state?: It varies by state. The Industrial Machinery Mechanic and Millwright pay-by-state tables on TradesPays list the median in every covered state, and the compare tool at tradespays.com/compare puts both trades side by side in any state.

Already in one of these trades?

The negotiation kit is built per trade and state. Below is each trade's highest-paying covered state; for your own state, start from the pay-by-state list on the trade's page above.

Industrial Machinery Mechanics earn the most in Washington ($77,220 median).

Want the whole play, not just the number?

The full industrial machinery mechanic kit for Washington: pay by metro, the union scale where one is public, three ready scripts, and answers to the pushback you will hear. $19, one time.

Get the full kit for $19

Millwrights earn the most in New Jersey ($107,540 median).

Want the whole play, not just the number?

The full millwright kit for New Jersey: pay by metro, the union scale where one is public, three ready scripts, and answers to the pushback you will hear. $19, one time.

Get the full kit for $19

Other trade matchups

The amount and bar show each matchup's national median pay gap (BLS OEWS May 2025).