Median hourly earnings of millwrights were $20.19 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $15.77 and $25.48. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12.39, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $29.49. Earnings vary by industry and geographic location. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of millwrights in 2002 are shown below.
| Motor vehicle parts manufacturing | $28.14 |
| Building equipment contractors | 19.33 |
| Nonresidential building construction | 18.98 |
About 60 percent of millwrights belong to labor unions, one of the highest rates of membership in the economy.
Millwrights install, repair, replace, and dismantle the machinery and heavy equipment used in many industries. The wide range of facilities and the development of new technology require millwrights to continually update their skills—from blueprint reading and pouring concrete to diagnosing and solving mechanical problems.
The millwright's responsibilities begin when machinery arrives at the jobsite. New equipment must be unloaded, inspected, and moved into position. To lift and move light machinery, millwrights use rigging and hoisting devices, such as pulleys and cables. With heavier equipment, they may require the assistance of hydraulic lift-truck or crane operators to position the machinery. Because millwrights often decide which device to use for moving machinery, they must know the load-bearing properties of rope, cables, hoists, and cranes.
Millwrights consult with production managers and others to determine the optimal placement of machines in a plant. When this placement requires building a new foundation, millwrights either prepare the foundation themselves or supervise its construction. As a result, they must know how to read blueprints and work with a variety of building materials.
To assemble machinery, millwrights fit bearings, align gears and wheels, attach motors, and connect belts, according to the manufacturer's blueprints and drawings. Precision leveling and alignment are important in the assembly process, so millwrights measure angles, material thickness, and small distances with tools such as squares, calipers, and micrometers. When a high level of precision is required, devices such as lasers and ultrasonic measuring tools may be used. Millwrights also work with hand and power tools, such as cutting torches, welding machines, and soldering guns, and with metalworking equipment, including lathes and grinding machines.
In addition to installing and dismantling machinery, many millwrights work with mechanics and maintenance workers to repair and maintain equipment. This includes preventive maintenance, such as lubrication and fixing or replacing worn parts. (For further information on machinery maintenance, see the statement on industrial machinery installation, repair, and maintenance workers, except millwrights, elsewhere in the Handbook.)
Increasingly sophisticated automation means more complicated machines for millwrights to install and maintain. For example, millwrights may install and maintain numerical control equipment—computer-controlled machine tools that fabricate manufacturing parts. This machinery requires special care and knowledge, so millwrights often work closely with computer or electronics experts, electricians, engineers, and manufacturers' representatives to install it. (Statements on electrical and electronics installers and repairers, as well as electricians, appear elsewhere in the Handbook.)
.Employment of millwrights is projected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. Because millwrights will be needed to maintain and repair existing machinery, dismantle old machinery, and install new equipment, skilled applicants should have good job opportunities. Prospects will be best for millwrights with training in installing new production technologies. In addition to employment growth, many job openings for these workers will stem from the need to replace experienced millwrights who transfer to other occupations or retire.
Employment of millwrights has historically been cyclical, rising and falling in line with investments in automation in the Nation's factories and production facilities. To remain competitive in coming years, firms will continue to require the services of millwrights to dismantle old equipment and install new machinery. Employment growth from new automation will be dampened somewhat by foreign competition and the introduction of new technologies, such as hydraulic torque wrenches, ultrasonic measuring tools, and laser shaft alignment, which allow fewer millwrights to perform more work. In addition, the demand for millwrights may be adversely affected as lower paid workers, such as electronics technicians and industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers, assume some installation and maintenance duties.
Millwrights normally receive training for 4 years, through apprenticeship programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction or through community college coupled with informal on-the-job training. These programs include training in dismantling, moving, erecting, and repairing machinery. Trainees also may work with concrete and receive instruction in related skills, such as carpentry, welding, and sheet-metal work. Classroom instruction is provided in mathematics, blueprint reading, hydraulics, electricity, computers, and electronics.
Employers prefer applicants with a high school diploma or equivalency and some vocational training or experience. Courses in science, mathematics, mechanical drawing, computers, and machine shop practice are useful. Millwrights are expected to keep their skills up-to-date and may need additional training on technological advances, such as laser shaft alignment and vibration analysis.
Because millwrights assemble and disassemble complicated machinery, mechanical aptitude is very important. Strength and agility also are necessary for lifting and climbing. Millwrights need good interpersonal and communication skills to work as part of a team and to effectively give detailed instructions to others.
Advancement for millwrights usually takes the form of higher wages. Some advance to the position of supervisor or superintendent, while others may become self-employed contractors.
.To set up machinery for use in a plant, millwrights must know how to use hoisting devices and how to assemble, disassemble, and sometimes repair machinery. Other workers with similar job duties include industrial machinery installation, repair, and maintenance workers, except millwrights; aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and service technicians; structural and reinforcing iron and metal workers; assemblers and fabricators; and heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians and mechanics.
For further information on apprenticeship programs, write to the Apprenticeship Council of your State's labor department, local offices of your State employment service, or local firms that employ millwrights. In addition, you may contact:
About 6 in 10 millwrights belong to labor unions, one of the highest rates of membership in the economy. The millwright's responsibilities begin when machinery arrives at the jobsite. New equipment must be unloaded, inspected, and moved into position. To lift and move light machinery, millwrights use rigging and hoisting devices, such as pulleys and cables. As a result, they must know how to read blueprints and work with a variety of building materials.
Summary of: http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/insta18.shtml
Construction Millwrights are employed by millwrighting contractors. Industrial mechanics are employed in manufacturing plants, utilities and other industrial establishments. Industrial mechanic trade certification is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and territories. Interprovincial trade certification (Red Seal) is also available to qualified industrial mechanics or millwrights. Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Summary of: http://www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/2001/e/groups/7311.shtml
These workers include industrial machinery mechanics, millwrights, and general maintenance and repair and machinery maintenance workers. Millwrights install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings. Machinery maintenance workers lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance. In some instances, this placement requires building a new foundation. When a high level of precision is required, devices such as lasers and ultrasonic measuring tools may be used.
Summary of: http://www.aim-web.us/millwrights.htm
To lift and move light machinery, millwrights use rigging and hoisting devices such as pulleys and cables. Once the main unit is attached, millwrights attach parts to it. Millwrights use special machines to reduce the size of parts. Millwrights may program these controls or work with numerical control tool programmers. They like to be treated fairly and have supervisors who will back them up.
Summary of: http://www.iseek.org/sv/13000.jsp?id=100380
Nature of the Work Millwrights install, repair, replace, and dismantle the machinery and heavy equipment used in almost every industry. To lift and move light machinery, millwrights use rigging and hoisting devices such as pulleys and cables. Because millwrights often decide which device to use for moving machinery, they must know the load-bearing properties of ropes, cables, hoists, and cranes. Some of these workers use metalworking equipment such as lathes or grinders to modify parts to specifications. Employment Millwrights held about 78,000 jobs in 1996.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh9899/232.htm
All these factors cost companies money. Repairers regularly inspect machinery and check performance. For example, they adjust and calibrate automated manufacturing equipment such as industrial robots and rebuild components of other industrial machinery. However, industrial machinery repairers increasingly need electronic skills to repair sophisticated equipment on their own. These workers are subject to common shop injuries such as cuts and bruises and use protective equipment such as hard hats, protective glasses, and safety belts.
Summary of: http://www2.jobtrak.com/help_manuals/outlook/ocos194.html
Although employment is projected to decline slightly, skilled applicants should have good job opportunities. Nature of the Work Millwrights install, repair, replace, and dismantle the machinery and heavy equipment used in many industries. To lift and move light machinery, millwrights use rigging and hoisting devices, such as pulleys and cables. Because millwrights often decide which device to use for moving machinery, they must know the load-bearing properties of ropes, cables, hoists, and cranes. Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement Millwrights are responsible for the mechanical maintenance, repair, overhaul, and installation of machinery, so training is varied and extensive.
Summary of: http://guide.symplicity.com/resources/profession_article.php?id=232
Around 60 percent of millwrights are union members, resulting in one of the highest rates in the economy. Millwright Career Overview Millwrights work with machines and heavy equipment utilized by various industries, employing their skills to perform installations, repairs, and replacements. The millwright's job starts with arrival of new machinery, as the new machinery has to be unloaded, pass through inspection, and placed in line in the factory. Machinery is becoming more and more complicated and automated, making installation and maintenance more complicated as well for millwrights. Normally these programs will incorporate instruction in disassembling, building, fixing and relocating machinery.
Summary of: http://www.careeroverview.com/millwright-careers.html
The millwright's responsibilities begin when machinery arrives at the job site. The new equipment must be unloaded, inspected, and then moved into position. To lift and move light machinery, millwrights may use rigging and hoisting devices such as pulleys and cables. Millwrights either personally prepare the foundation or supervise its construction, so they must know how to read blueprints and work with building materials such as concrete, wood, and steel. Employment Millwrights held about 77,000 jobs in 1994.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh9697/197.htm