Millwrights

Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.

Also called: Maintenance Mechanic, Maintenance Millwright, Millwright, Millwright Business Representative (Millwright Business Rep), Millwright Foreman, Millwright General Foreman, Millwright Instructor, Precision Millwright, Automated Equipment Engineer, Automated Equipment Engineering Technician (Automated Equipment Engineering Tech), Automated Equipment Technician (Automated Equipment Tech), Automobile Equipment Engineer Technician (Auto Equipment Engineer Tech), Automobile Equipment Technician Engineer (Auto Equipment Tech Engineer), Construction Millwright, Gear Repairer, Industrial Machine Assembler, Industrial Millwright, Installation Service Representative (Installation Service Rep), Journeyman Millwright, Machine Erector, Machine Installer, Machine Mover, Machine Rigger, Machine Set Up Operator (Machine Set Up Op), Machine Setter, Machinery Dismantler, Machinery Erector, Machinery Mover, Machinery Rigger, Manufacturer's Service Representative (Manufacturer's Service Rep), Manufacturing Millwright, Mechanic, Millwright Apprentice, Millwright Helper, Millwright Mechanic, Mover, Plant Changer

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Replace defective parts of machine, or adjust clearances and alignment of moving parts.
Align machines or equipment, using hoists, jacks, hand tools, squares, rules, micrometers, lasers, or plumb bobs.
Insert shims, adjust tension on nuts and bolts, or position parts, using hand tools and measuring instruments, to set specified clearances between moving and stationary parts.
Signal crane operator to lower basic assembly units to bedplate, and align unit to centerline.
Conduct preventative maintenance and repair, and lubricate machines and equipment.
Assemble and install equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
Assemble machines, and bolt, weld, rivet, or otherwise fasten them to foundation or other structures, using hand tools and power tools.
Move machinery and equipment, using hoists, dollies, rollers, and trucks.
Level bedplate and establish centerline, using straightedge, levels, and transit.
Dismantle machines, using hammers, wrenches, crowbars, and other hand tools.

Skills, machines and equipment

Installation
Equipment Maintenance
Troubleshooting
Critical Thinking
Operations Monitoring
Repairing
Operation and Control
Quality Control Analysis
Time Management
Active Listening
Monitoring
Complex Problem Solving

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (45.45% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

56,390–81,500 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 49-9044.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Build troubleshooting, preventive-maintenance, and controls experience; explore senior technician, maintenance planning, or lead responsibilities.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (45.45% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Millwrights