How much do millwrights make in the US in 2026?

Which state is best for millwrights?

Different states win on different measures — here's the top on each. Pick the one that matters to you.

Across 25 states: $51,430–$107,540 (median $66,080).

Millwright pay by state

Where is the union premium biggest for Millwrights?

Named locals and the premium over the BLS all-worker median.

We don't have union scale data for Millwright across our states yet — these states are predominantly non-union, or we haven't added IBEW/UA data. Submitting your pay helps build complete data for Millwright.

Union landscape

Some millwrights work under a collective bargaining agreement, which can affect base pay, overtime rules, benefits, and how work is allocated on a job site. TradesPays does not currently have union scale data for millwrights in our covered states — so we can't show you a union versus non-union pay comparison here, and we're not going to guess at one. If you're working union or considering a union job, the only reliable source for current scale rates is your local. Rates vary by local, by agreement cycle, and by classification, and they change when contracts are renegotiated. No website — including this one — is a substitute for the actual posted scale from the local covering your area. If you're non-union, the BLS state medians on this page are your best available benchmark for what the broader market is paying. Either way, know your number before you walk into a conversation about pay.

What we don't track yet

A few honest gaps worth knowing before you draw conclusions from our data. First, we don't have metro-level pay breakdowns for millwrights. State medians are the finest grain we can show right now, which means a worker in a high-cost metro and one in a rural corner of the same state are both folded into the same figure. That can make a state median look misleadingly average if you're in a city where the work — and the cost of living — skews higher. Second, we don't break out pay tiers by apprentice, journeyman, or master classification beyond what union scale data would provide — and as noted above, we don't have that for this trade yet. If you're early in your career, the state medians here likely overstate what you're currently earning. If you're a seasoned hand with specialized skills in precision alignment, laser calibration, or industrial gearbox work, they may understate your market value. We're building toward better granularity. If you have verified pay data — a pay stub, a union scale sheet, a settled offer letter — consider submitting it through the TradesPays data contribution form. Real numbers from real workers are what make this more useful for everyone.

Millwright pay: FAQ

What is the national median wage for millwrights?

The national median is $65,700 per year, based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. The 25th percentile sits at $56,390 and the 75th percentile at $81,500, so a significant portion of the workforce earns well above or below that midpoint depending on state, employer, and specialization.

Which state pays millwrights the most in the TradesPays dataset?

New Jersey has the highest state median in our dataset at $107,540. Michigan follows at $89,190 and Wisconsin at $82,630. All three sit well above the national median of $65,700.

What is the lowest-paying state for millwrights in your data?

Virginia is the lowest in our current dataset at a state median of $51,430. That's more than $14,000 below the national median and roughly $56,000 below New Jersey's figure.

How many states does TradesPays cover for millwright wages?

TradesPays currently covers millwright wage data across 25 states. We're continuing to expand coverage, so if your state isn't listed, check back or submit data through the contribution form.

Do millwrights make more working union?

We don't have union scale data for millwrights in our covered states, so we can't make that comparison here. If you're under a collective bargaining agreement or considering union work, contact your local directly for current scale rates — that's the only accurate source.

What skills or specializations affect millwright pay?

Work requiring precision alignment, laser leveling, industrial gearbox overhaul, or hydraulic and pneumatic systems tends to command higher rates in the field. The BLS state medians on TradesPays reflect the full range of millwright work and don't isolate pay by specialty — that nuance isn't captured in our current data.

Can I see millwright pay by city or metro area?

Not yet. TradesPays currently shows millwright wages at the state level only. Metro-level breakdowns are a gap we acknowledge — if you're in a major industrial metro, the state median may not reflect what workers in your specific area are actually earning. We're working on finer geographic data and welcome submissions from workers with verified pay information.

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