MIllwright
Millwrights are a group of specialized craftspeople who fabricate, install, level, and align precision equipment and high-torque machinery. They’re equally comfortable hefting a pry bar, wielding a plasma torch, or finessing a micrometer. Plants, factories, foundries, mills, breweries, and manufacturing facilities across various industries rely on millwrights’ meticulous dedication to keep motors, turbines, renewable energy, and equipment of all sizes running efficiently and effectively.
Work Performed by Millwrights
Millwrights have an eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy that keeps complex machinery from turning into a million-dollar paperweight. As a millwright apprentice, these are just a few of the jobs you’ll have the opportunity to take on:
- Calibrate and align equipment using precision lasers and optical equipment
- Safely rig and install various machinery and components
- Cut, weld, fabricate, and install metal components
- Diagnose and perform routine preventative maintenance or emergency breakdown repairs on critical equipment
Millwright Apprenticeship Program Overview
To graduate from millwright apprentice to journeyworker, you’ll complete 7,000 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) and 800 hours of classroom learning. Completion hours may vary depending on the region you belong to.
Millwright apprentices will be evaluated through demonstrations of skill and technique, and standard knowledge exams. At the end of the program, you’ll be able to demonstrate working knowledge of the equipment, materials, and techniques needed to succeed within the industry.
Average earnings for all first-year students:
- $33,436 – $46,363 + benefits*
Sample courses:
- OSHA, Millwright 16
- Precision Tools, First-Aid/CPR/AED
- Introduction to Welding
- Introduction to Cutting – plasma cutting, welding
- Math for the Trades, Introduction to Rigging
On-the-job training & classroom hours:
- 1,750 hours of OJT
- 200 hours of classroom
*Wages vary by area. Contact the local training center for detailed wage estimate.
Average earnings for all second-year students:
- $45,600 – $63,200 + benefits*
Sample courses:
- CITF “Rigging Certification”
- Millwright Welding Level 3
- Millwright Welding Level 4
- Confined Space Training, Mechanical Print Reading – install sole plates
- Machinery Installation, Leveling and Layout Instruments
On-the-job training & classroom hours:
- 1,750 hours of OJT
- 200 hours of classroom
*Wages vary by area. Contact the local training center for detailed wage estimate.
Average earnings for all third-year students:
- $51,666 – $71,646 + benefits*
Sample courses:
- GE Familiarization – high-torque bolting and tensioning
- Machinery Alignment, Indicator Alignment, Laser Alignment
- Millwright Welding Level 5 – welding certification practice
- Precision Optics
- Millwright Welding Level 6 – welding certification and advanced techniques, Mig and Tig
On-the-job training & classroom hours:
- 1,750 hours of OJT
- 200 hours of classroom
*Wages vary by area. Contact the local training center for detailed wage estimate.
Average earnings for all fourth-year students:
- $57,748 – $80,077 + benefits*
Sample courses:
- Millwright Welding Level 7 – welding certification and advanced techniques, Mig and Tig
- Conveyors, Monorails, and Rack Installation
- Mechanical Power Transmission and Bearing Projects
- Flowserve – qualified pump repair
- Professionalism and “Stepping up to Foreman”
On-the-job training & classroom hours:
- 1,750 hours of OJT
- 200 hours of classroom
*Wages vary by area. Contact the local training center for detailed wage estimate.
Average earnings:
- $60,789 – $ 84,295 + benefits*
*Wages vary by area. Contact the local training center for detailed wage estimate.
Average earnings:
- $72,485 – $97,010 + benefits*
*Wages vary by area. Contact the local training center for detailed wage estimate.
Average earnings:
- $98,100 – $131,018 + benefits*
*Wages vary by area. Contact the local training center for detailed wage estimate.
It Doesn’t Stop at Journeyworker
After successfully completing your apprenticeship and becoming a journeyworker, there’s still opportunity to further advance your career. You may oversee a crew on a job site as a leadperson, or become a foreman or project superintendent. You may even go on to start your own company! Whatever your goals, Carpenters Training Institute will work with you to achieve them.
Continuing Education Courses
- American Red Cross CPR/First Aid
- Stepping Up to the Foreman
- Open Welding
- Gas & Steam Turbine Training
- Conveyors
- Mine Safety
- And many more!
Get a Head Start on Your Degree
Completing the millwright apprenticeship program at Carpenters Training Institute satisfies a portion of the credit requirements for a two-year associate degree at several technical and community colleges in the Midwest.