Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between machinists and millwrights can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a machinist, becoming a millwright takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a millwright has an average salary of $51,176, which is higher than the $42,147 average annual salary of a machinist.
The top three skills for a machinist include grinders, cnc machines and micrometers. The most important skills for a millwright are hand tools, hoists, and dismantle.
| Machinist | Millwright | |
| Yearly salary | $42,147 | $51,176 |
| Hourly rate | $20.26 | $24.60 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 15,448 | 102,942 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 40% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Average age | 48 | 49 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Machinists are skilled professionals who create metal works by using different machines. They work with clients to bring their clients' vision to life. They study the blueprints of the product that needs to be done and identify the parts that will need fabrication through machining. They then prepare the materials and equipment. Machinists use different tools such as grinders, drills, lathes, polishers, and milling equipment to create parts that are made of metal. They may sometimes work with other materials such as wood or plastic, but this is seldom. Machinists are expected to be proficient in the use of the machines, to be precise with their work, and can work within the committed timeline.
A millwright is responsible for maintaining and operating machinery from necessary to advanced systems. Millwrights install and upgrade machine components for optimization through analyzing blueprints and specifications. They calibrate machinery and run diagnostic tests to ensure all equipment's high-quality performance for safe and smooth operations. A millwright must adhere to the workplace's safety procedures all the time to prevent hazards and delays. A millwright must have a broad knowledge of the technical and mechanical industry to set up equipment and repair defective machines.
Machinists and millwrights have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Machinist | Millwright | |
| Average salary | $42,147 | $51,176 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $59,000 | Between $36,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Eugene, OR | Lincoln, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Westinghouse Appliances Australia | CVR Energy |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Finance |
There are a few differences between a machinist and a millwright in terms of educational background:
| Machinist | Millwright | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 40% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between machinists' and millwrights' demographics:
| Machinist | Millwright | |
| Average age | 48 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% | Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 6.7% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 3.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 1.1% White, 81.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 2% |