Industrial Machinery Mechanic / Millwright key facts
- National median pay
- $64,100 per yearBLS, May 2025
- Projected growth
- 14%BLS, 2025 to 2035
- Annual openings
- 51,900BLS, 2025 to 2035 average
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent; no related work experience required.
- Typical training route
- Employer on-the-job trainingA few months to more than a year
- Licensing note
- Registered apprenticeship completionCommon for millwrights
- Primary source
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Last verified
- Data verified November 2026 · BLS May 2025 wages · BLS 2025 to 2035 projections
Career overview
What does an industrial machinery mechanic / millwright career actually involve?
Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers and millwrights install, maintain and repair the equipment that factories, warehouses and plants run on. BLS groups the three occupations in one profile and counted about 547,300 jobs in 2025.
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education, with no related work experience required. The training that follows depends on the role: mechanics typically get more than a year of on-the-job training, maintenance workers a few months to a year, and most millwrights complete a 3 or 4 year apprenticeship.
Typical work
Read manuals and diagnose why a machine is not working.
Repair or replace worn and broken parts.
Test, calibrate and adjust equipment after repair or installation.
Clean and lubricate machinery as part of routine maintenance.
Move and set machinery into position, which is a core millwright task.
Step-by-step path
How to enter this career
Start with a high school diploma or equivalent
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education for these occupations, and says no related work experience is required.
Choose between on-the-job training and an apprenticeship
Machinery maintenance workers often train for a few months to a year on the job, and mechanics typically for more than a year. Most millwrights complete a 3 or 4 year apprenticeship, so decide which role you are aiming for before you apply.
Check the apprenticeship requirements
BLS says millwright apprenticeships generally require applicants to be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or equivalent and be physically able to do the work. Programs include at least 144 hours of technical instruction per year alongside paid on-the-job training.
Find registered apprenticeshipsConsider a short college credential
Some workers complete a 2 year associate degree in industrial maintenance or a related field. It is one route, not a requirement.
Build safe, documented skills
Keep a record of the equipment you have worked on, the repairs you can do alone and the safety training you have completed. That record is what lets you move from helper to mechanic to lead.
Pay, without the hype
How much does an industrial machinery mechanic / millwright make?
The BLS national median for this occupation is $64,100 per year (May 2025 wages). Half of workers earn more and half earn less, so it is not a starting wage: the lowest-paid 10% earned under $45,760, and apprentices usually earn less than fully trained workers while they train.
Median pay in selected industries
BLS reports one median for the three-occupation group, $64,100 a year ($30.82 an hour). By occupation, millwrights had a median of $65,700, industrial machinery mechanics $64,520 and machinery maintenance workers $60,850. Overtime is common in this work and may not be reflected in the national median.
Training choices
Compare the main routes into the field
Employer on-the-job training
People who want to be paid while learning on one employer's equipmentMachinery maintenance workers typically train for a few months to a year, and industrial machinery mechanics for more than a year, working alongside experienced staff.
Millwright apprenticeship
People who want a structured path to the highest median pay in the groupMost millwrights complete an apprenticeship with at least 144 hours of technical instruction per year plus paid on-the-job training. Millwrights had the highest median pay of the three occupations, $65,700.
Associate degree
People who prefer classroom learning before entering the plantSome workers finish a 2 year associate degree first. BLS presents this as an option some people choose rather than a requirement for the work.
Licenses & credentials
What you may actually need to work
Registered apprenticeship completion
Common for millwrightsA completed 3 or 4 year apprenticeship is the usual route into the millwright trade and is a clear signal to employers.
Apprenticeship.govEmployer and equipment training
Varies by employerPlants often train workers on their own machinery, controls and lockout procedures. Keep copies of any completion records.
Licensing
Not described in the BLS profileThe BLS profile for these occupations does not describe a licensing requirement. Confirm local and employer requirements before you apply.
2025 to 2035 job outlook
What is driving demand?
BLS projects 14% employment growth for the group from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 78,900 new jobs and about 51,900 openings a year once workers who leave the field are counted.
BLS ties demand to the growing use of automated machinery, which needs installing and maintaining. It also projects a 2% decline for machinery maintenance workers specifically, so the role you aim for matters.
Career fit
Who tends to fit this work — and what to consider first
This path may fit you if…
- You like working out why a machine stopped and fixing it.
- You are comfortable with tools, mechanical systems and basic electrical work.
- You can follow safety procedures every time, including when you are in a hurry.
- You want a job that is usually full time and in demand across many industries.
- You can work the occasional night, weekend or on-call shift.
Know the realities
- •BLS describes the work as dangerous, and workers use protective equipment.
- •Most positions are full time, and overtime is common.
- •Night, weekend and on-call work can be part of the job when a line goes down.
- •About half of all jobs are in manufacturing, so your location and the local plants largely decide your options.
One possible progression
Maintenance helper or apprentice
Learn plant safety, lockout procedures, lubrication and routine inspections under experienced workers.
Maintenance worker
Handle routine upkeep and basic repairs on a defined set of equipment.
Industrial machinery mechanic
Diagnose and repair complex equipment, usually after more than a year of training.
Millwright
Install, align and move heavy machinery, usually after completing an apprenticeship.
Lead, planner or supervisor
With experience, some workers lead crews or move into maintenance supervision.
Keep researching
Related TrainingForFuture guides
Source transparency
Where this guide gets its facts
TrainingForFuture prioritizes primary government and industry sources for pay, projections, licensing and certification. Data below was checked for this guide in September 2026.
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, and Millwrights
May 2025 wages, 2025 to 2035 outlook, training and work environment.
Open official source U.S. Department of LaborApprenticeship.gov
Registered apprenticeship information and job finder.
Open official source U.S. Department of LaborCareerOneStop License Finder
Starting point for state and local licensing questions.
Open official sourceFrequently asked questions
Quick answers
How much do industrial machinery mechanics and millwrights make?
The BLS median annual wage for the group was $64,100 in May 2025. The lowest 10% earned less than $45,760 and the highest 10% earned more than $94,530. Millwrights had the highest median of the three occupations at $65,700.
Do you need a degree to work in industrial maintenance?
No. BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education and says no related work experience is required. Some workers choose a 2 year associate degree, but it is not required.
How long does it take to become a millwright?
Most millwrights complete a 3 or 4 year apprenticeship that includes at least 144 hours of technical instruction per year alongside paid on-the-job training.
Is industrial maintenance a growing field?
BLS projects 14% growth for the group from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with about 51,900 openings a year. Growth for machinery maintenance workers specifically is projected to decline 2%.
Is the work dangerous?
BLS describes the work as dangerous and says workers use protective equipment. Following safety procedures every time is a core part of the job.