Career Overview
Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.
Also Known As
- Maintenance Millwright
- Millwright
- Millwright Foreman
- Millwright Instructor
Alternate Job Titles
- Automated Equipment Engineer
- Automated Equipment Engineering Technician (Automated Equipment Engineering Tech)
- Automated Equipment Technician (Automated Equipment Tech)
- Automobile Equipment Engineer Technician (Auto Equipment Engineer Tech)
- Automobile Equipment Technician Engineer (Auto Equipment Tech Engineer)
- Construction Millwright
- Gear Repairer
- Industrial Machine Assembler
- Industrial Millwright
- Installation Service Representative (Installation Service Rep)
- Journeyman Millwright
- Machine Erector
- Machine Installer
- Machine Mover
- Machine Rigger
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Inventory and store parts, tools, and equipment.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Building and Construction
- Education and Training
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Installation
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Critical Thinking
- Operations Monitoring
- Repairing
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Manual Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Control Precision
- Finger Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Visualization
- Static Strength
- Trunk Strength
- Extent Flexibility
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
- Stress Tolerance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable wrenches
- Air compressors
- Alignment telescopes
- Allen wrenches
- Angled feeler gauges
- Arbor presses
- Ball peen hammers
- Bandsaws
- Bearing heaters
- Bearing pullers
- Belt sanders
- Bevel protractors
- Block and tackle equipment
- Box end wrenches
- Brass hammers
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $45,100 |
| Median | $65,170 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $93,740 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 40,660
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $61,680
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $48,620
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $63,760
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $52,540
Boilermakers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $73,340
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.