Occupation · SOC 49-9044
Millwrights
Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.
Median wage
$65,170
$45,100–$93,740
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
40,660
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
402 mapped
Core skills
TroubleshootingInstallationEquipment MaintenanceRepairingCritical ThinkingOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlQuality Control Analysis
Knowledge areas
MechanicalMathematicsBuilding and ConstructionEducation and TrainingEngineering and Technology
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
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.Bolt parts, such as side and deck plates, jaw plates, and journals, to basic assembly unit.Lay out mounting holes, using measuring instruments, and drill holes with power drill.Attach moving parts and subassemblies to basic assembly unit, using hand tools and power tools.Shrink-fit bushings, sleeves, rings, liners, gears, and wheels to specified items, using portable gas heating equipment.Weld, repair, and fabricate equipment or machinery.Troubleshoot equipment, electrical components, hydraulics, or other mechanical systems.Dismantle machinery and equipment for shipment to installation site, performing installation and maintenance work as part of team.Connect power unit to machines or steam piping to equipment, and test unit to evaluate its mechanical operation.Position steel beams to support bedplates of machines and equipment, using blueprints and schematic drawings to determine work procedures.Fabricate and dismantle parts, equipment, and machines, using a cutting torch or other cutting equipment.Construct foundation for machines, using hand tools and building materials such as wood, cement, and steel.Operate engine lathe to grind, file, and turn machine parts to dimensional specifications.Install robot and modify its program, using teach pendant.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hand tools and basic power tools — identify and use correctly under direct supervision on an industrial installation site.Defective machine parts — recognize and flag for replacement under the guidance of a journeyman millwright.Hoists, dollies, rollers, and trucks — assist in moving machinery and equipment under close supervision in a shop or plant environment.Nuts, bolts, and fasteners — tighten to specified torque values using hand tools while following written instructions on the job site.Lubrication schedules and preventive maintenance checklists — follow step-by-step under supervision to service basic industrial machinery.Safety protocols and PPE requirements — apply consistently when working around moving machinery and heavy equipment in a manufacturing facility.Crane hand signals — learn and practice basic signals to assist in lowering assembly units under direct direction from a senior millwright.Measuring instruments such as rules, squares, and micrometers — use to take basic dimensional readings under guidance during equipment installation.Assembly diagrams and equipment manuals — read and interpret with assistance to support machine assembly tasks on the shop floor.Shims and adjustment hardware — retrieve and stage correctly in preparation for clearance-setting tasks under the supervision of an experienced millwright.
developing
Misaligned machine components — diagnose and correct using jacks, shims, and hand tools with limited oversight in a production plant setting.Preventive maintenance routines — perform independently on assigned machinery, including lubrication and minor part replacement, according to established schedules.Hoists and rigging equipment — operate to move and position machinery and equipment safely with reduced supervision on an industrial floor.Clearances between moving and stationary parts — set to specification by adjusting shims and bolt tension using micrometers and measuring instruments.Machine assembly sequences — execute routinely using hand tools and power tools, following blueprints and technical manuals in a manufacturing environment.Defective machine parts — replace or adjust after identifying wear or failure during scheduled maintenance inspections at a production facility.Alignment tasks — complete using squares, rules, lasers, or plumb bobs with growing proficiency and minimal direction from lead personnel.Crane operator communications — coordinate effectively using standard hand signals to guide lowering and positioning of assembly units to bedplate.Bolting, welding, and riveting operations — perform to fasten assembled machines to foundations or structural supports per engineered specifications.Maintenance logs and work orders — complete accurately using office suite or ERP software to document repairs and parts usage on the job.
proficient
Complex machinery alignment — perform autonomously across multiple machine types using lasers, micrometers, and precision instruments in high-tolerance industrial environments.Non-routine equipment failures — troubleshoot independently, applying critical thinking and mechanical knowledge to diagnose root causes and implement lasting repairs.Full preventive and corrective maintenance programs — execute across an entire production line, prioritizing tasks based on operational impact and scheduling constraints.Heavy equipment installation projects — manage from foundation preparation through final alignment and commissioning using the full range of rigging and precision tools.Clearance and tolerance specifications — verify and adjust across diverse machine assemblies, interpreting engineering drawings and OEM documentation without assistance.Machinery relocation operations — plan and execute safely using hoists, dollies, and trucks while coordinating with crane operators and other trades on a live plant floor.Weld, bolt, and rivet fastenings — select appropriate methods and execute to code when securing machines to foundations or structural members in varied industrial settings.Maintenance quality outcomes — evaluate through systematic inspection and measurement, applying quality control analysis to ensure machines meet operational standards.CAD drawings and technical schematics — interpret and cross-reference to resolve installation ambiguities and guide junior millwrights on complex assembly tasks.Cross-functional maintenance coordination — collaborate with operations, engineering, and safety teams to schedule and execute major equipment overhauls with minimal production downtime.
advanced
Millwright competency standards — establish and communicate for a facility or department, defining performance expectations and career progression for apprentices and journeymen.Precision alignment methodology — lead adoption of laser alignment systems and advanced measurement practices across a multi-site industrial organization.Preventive maintenance strategy — design and implement at the organizational level, integrating ERP software to optimize equipment uptime and reduce lifecycle costs.High-risk machinery installation projects — oversee from scope definition through final acceptance, directing crews, managing rigging plans, and enforcing safety protocols.Equipment reliability programs — develop and champion organization-wide, applying engineering and mechanical knowledge to reduce unplanned downtime across production assets.Technical training curriculum — create and deliver for apprentice and developing millwrights, covering alignment, rigging, maintenance, and safety in structured on-the-job modules.Cross-trade coordination on major capital projects — lead as principal millwright authority, interfacing with contractors, engineers, and plant management to ensure installation integrity.Organizational safety culture — advance by authoring procedures, conducting hazard assessments, and mentoring crews on cautious, standards-compliant work practices around heavy machinery.Budgets and resource plans for maintenance operations — develop and manage at the department level, balancing labor, parts, and equipment costs against production targets.Continuous improvement initiatives — drive by analyzing maintenance data from ERP and monitoring systems to identify recurring failure patterns and implement systemic mechanical solutions.
Also known as
48 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Precision MillwrightMillwright MechanicMachine Set Up Operator (Machine Set Up Op)Machinery MoverMaintenance MechanicMaintenance MillwrightMachinery ErectorMachine InstallerWheeled Vehicle Repairer (Army 91B)Industrial MillwrightAutomobile Equipment Engineer Technician (Auto Equipment Engineer Tech)Automated Equipment Engineer-TechnicianAutomated Equipment Technician (Automated Equipment Tech)Plant ChangerMillwright ApprenticeIndustrial Machine AssemblerCannon Crewmember (Army 13B)Journeyman MillwrightMachinery RiggerMechanicMachine RiggerInfantryman (Army 11B)Manufacturing MillwrightM1 Armor Crewman (Army 19K)MillwrightInstallation Service Representative (Installation Service Rep)Manufacturer's Service Representative (Manufacturer's Service Rep)Millwright HelperCavalry Scout (Army 19D)Gear RepairerAdvanced Machinery Repairman (Navy U31A)Machine SetterMachine ErectorMillwright General ForemanMillwright InstructorMachinery DismantlerAutomated Equipment EngineerAutomobile Equipment Technician Engineer (Auto Equipment Tech Engineer)MoverAutomated Equipment Engineering Technician (Automated Equipment Engineering Tech)