Millwrights

Career summary

#No alternate titles CJ

Before installation, millwrights read instructions and blueprints. They inspect and position the parts for assembly. They measure where to drill holes and fasten pieces together. They also fit bearings, align gears and wheels, attach motors, and connect belts.

Many new machines are installed with robots controlled by computers. Millwrights may program these controls or work with numerical control tool programmers. Once machinery is installed, millwrights test it to be sure it functions properly.

Large pieces of machinery are usually hoisted into place by hydraulic lift-trucks or cranes. Smaller pieces can be placed using pulleys and cables. Millwrights communicate with drivers and crane operators.

For new pieces of machinery, a foundation or steel supports may need to be installed to reinforce the floor. Millwrights may install the reinforcements themselves or supervise workers who do.

Millwrights also take machines apart for regular maintenance. They oil and adjust parts. When making a repair they inspect parts to see if they are worn or defective. They fix or replace worn parts.

Millwrights use many tools, such as:

• Squares and calipers
• Hand and power tools
• Cutting torches
• Welding machines
• Soldering guns
• Lathes or grinders

Related careers

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Aircraft Mechanics
• Boilermakers
• Building Maintenance Workers
• Electricians
• Elevator Installers and Repairers
• Heating and Cooling System Mechanics
• Heavy Equipment Mechanics
• Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• Ship Engineers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to millwrights.

• Put together and install new machinery.
• Move machinery using hoists, dollies, rollers, and trucks.
• Signal crane and lift operators where to put machinery.
• Build or supervise the creation of foundations.
• Read blueprints and schematic drawings to understand how machinery should be assembled.
• Attach parts to the basic unit of equipment.
• Make accurate measurements to align and fit machine parts together, using hand tools, squares, rules, and other equipment.
• Operate equipment, such as grinders, to modify machine parts.
• Install robots and program electronic controls. May have programming help.
• Test equipment to make sure it is working properly.
• Take machinery apart for replacement or repair. Adjust, oil, fix, and replace parts.

Common work activities

Millwrights perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
• Handle and move objects
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Get information needed to do the job
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Teach others
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Coach others
• Control machines and processes
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Develop and build teams
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Schedule work and activities
• Document and record information
• Evaluate information against standards
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Think creatively
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Process information
• Analyze data or information
• Develop goals and strategies
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Monitor and control resources
• Provide advice and consultation to others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, millwrights:

Interpersonal relationships

• Are greatly responsible for the safety of workers who operate the machinery they install.
• Have a medium level of social interaction. They talk to other workers about problems with machines, but also spend time alone working on machinery.
• Communicate by telephone and in person on a daily basis.
• Often work as part of a group or team.
• Are responsible for the results of work done by other workers.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations in which others may be rude or angry.

Physical work conditions

• Work both indoors and outdoors. Indoor work sites may not have air conditioning or heating. Outdoor areas are usually covered.
• Wear protective clothing and gear, such as hardhats, gloves, and work boots, on a daily basis.
• Are exposed to noise levels that are uncomfortable or distracting on a daily basis.
• Are exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures on a daily basis.
• Are often exposed to hazardous conditions, equipment, and conditions from working around moving parts and electricity.
• Are exposed to contaminants, such as fluids from leaky machines, on a daily basis.
• Are exposed to extremely bright or dim lighting.
• Often must get into awkward positions to reach cramped work spaces.
• Are often exposed to high places, such as scaffolding.
• Work very near others. They have little space between themselves and others.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work. Errors could injure machine operators or stop production in factories.
• Must let the work pace be set by the speed of equipment.
• Make decisions that greatly impact their employers, coworkers, and customers on a daily basis. They rarely consult a supervisor before deciding a course of action.
• Set nearly all their daily tasks and goals without talking to a supervisor first.
• Work in a moderately competitive atmosphere. They abide by strict daily deadlines.

Hours/travel

• Usually work at least 40 hours per week.
• Often work overtime and weekends to repair machinery.
• Generally work a set schedule. However, they may be on-call to make emergency repairs.

Physical demands

Millwrights frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.
• Climb ladders, scaffolds, or poles.

It is important for millwrights to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for millwrights to be able to:

• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• See objects in very low light.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.

Skills and abilities

Millwrights need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Teach others how to do something.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Work with things

• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Install equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
• Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
• Repair machines or systems.
• Operate and control equipment.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.
• Determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Apprenticeship Programs
• Industrial Mechanics

Other programs of study to consider

• Construction Trades

Training

To work as a millwright, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete an apprenticeship program.

Education after high school

Some millwrights learn their skills through apprenticeship training programs. Union and non-union apprenticeship programs are available. Admission to apprenticeship programs is competitive. To apply for an apprenticeship, you must:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• be at least 18 years old; and
• be in good physical condition.

Apprenticeship programs usually consist of four years of on-the-job training. You are paid for the time you spend on the job. In addition, each year you receive at least 144 hours of classroom training.

To learn about specific apprenticeship opportunities in your area, consult the US Department of Labor State Apprenticeship Information  website.

You can prepare for an apprenticeship by taking courses at a professional-technical or two-year school. Courses in metalworking, general math, and drafting prepare students to enter apprenticeship programs. However, these courses are not required to qualify for an apprenticeship.

A few millwrights learn their trade through a two-year associate degree program in industrial maintenance. These programs cover shop mathematics, how to read blueprints, welding, electronics, and computer training.

On-the-job training

Most millwrights receive informal on-the-job training from an experienced worker. Trainees usually begin as helpers. They learn to operate machines, weld, and work with concrete. On-the-job training lasts several years.

Washington apprenticeships

For further information on apprenticeships in Washington, contact:

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
Apprenticeship Program 
PO Box 44530
Olympia, WA 98504-4530
360.902.5320

#Verified prep info 3/7/07 & added new WA subheading, CJ. Checked info 3/11/09 & 3/1/11, cj. Checked info & added comments about math & phsyics noted in latest L&I apprenticehip catalog, 4/10/13 cj. WA Apprenticeship info verified 3/4/15 & 12/5/16 cj. Deleted occ specific apprenticeship requirements, 4/9/19 cj.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate. You should consider taking Algebra and Geometry as your math courses and Chemistry and Physics as your science courses.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Blueprint Reading
• Carpentry
• Computer Fundamentals
• Construction
• Drafting
• Industrial Arts
• Metalworking
• Physical Education

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Many employers require applicants for apprenticeships to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Apprenticeship applicants must be at least 18 years old and meet local requirements.

Employers look for applicants with good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity. Physical fitness and a good sense of balance are also important.

Tips

Opportunities may be better for those with broad-based skills. Courses in auto mechanics, electrical repair, computers, electronics, and machine shop are helpful. Employers look for individuals who are mechanically inclined and who have a solid background in math, physical sciences, and engineering. Millwrights with proven welding ability are in greater demand than those without. To become a certified welder, one may take an exam offered by technical or community colleges.

Costs to workers

Workers need to purchase some tools and reference materials. Some workers may be required to join a union and pay an initiation fee and monthly dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Millwrights 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Earnings vary by industry and area of the country. Two-thirds of millwrights belong to labor unions. These millwrights generally earn higher wages than non-union workers.

Millwrights who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include health insurance, a retirement plan, and paid vacation and sick leave.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Employment of millwrights is concentrated in the heavily industrialized areas of the country.

Major employers:

• Building equipment contractors
• Building construction companies
• Pulp and paper mills
• Motor vehicle manufacturers

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be faster than average. Increased automation will mean more machines need to be installed, repaired, and disassembled. 

Many job openings will occur to replace workers who retire or leave this occupation. Job prospects are best for those with a broad range of skills as well as apprenticeship or other formal education.

Other resources

American Welding Society 
8669 NW 36 Street, #130
Miami, FL 33166
800.443.9353
305.443.9353

International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine, and Furniture Workers 
2701 Dryden Road
Dayton, OH 45439
937.298.9984

Robotic Industries Association 
900 Victors Way, Suite 140
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
734.994.6088

The Real Life of a Millwright 

United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America 
301.735.6660

References

Career cluster

• Architecture and Construction

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Millwrights (49-9044.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Machinery Erector (638.261-014) 
• Millwright (638.281-018) 
• Millwright Apprentice (638.281-022) 

Holland occupational clusters

• Realistic/Conventional/Investigative
• Realistic/Investigative/Conventional

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled