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How to hire a millwright

Millwright hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring millwrights in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a millwright is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new millwright to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a millwright, step by step

To hire a millwright, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a millwright:

Here's a step-by-step millwright hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a millwright job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new millwright
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a millwright do?

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.

Learn more about the specifics of what a millwright does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The millwright hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a millwright to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a millwright that fits the bill.

    This list shows salaries for various types of millwrights.

    Type of MillwrightDescriptionHourly rate
    MillwrightIndustrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers maintain and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery, such as conveying systems, production machinery, and packaging equipment. Millwrights install, dismantle, repair, reassemble, and move machinery in factories, power plants, and construction sites.$17-34
    Industrial Maintenance TechnicianAn industrial maintenance technician is responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing commercial and industrial machinery in a building or a manufacturing plant. You will perform typical duties that include ensuring all machines function properly through preventative maintenance service, conducting tests to ensure production machinery functions properly, and performing safety checks and routine maintenance... Show more$18-31
    Industrial Maintenance MechanicAn industrial maintenance mechanic is responsible for ensuring the efficiency and optimal performance of industrial equipment and machinery to support operations and prevent operational delays. Industrial maintenance mechanics perform regular maintenance for the equipment, inspecting the components for any malfunctions, and conduct immediate repairs as needed... Show more$17-32
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Hand Tools
    • Hoists
    • Dismantle
    • Work Ethic
    • Cranes
    • Preventative Maintenance
    • Conveyor Systems
    • Dollies
    • Scissor Lifts
    • Mechanical Equipment
    • Electric Motors
    • Ladders
    • Industrial Maintenance
    • Building Materials
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Used cranes, fork trucks, hoist pulleys, dollies and rollers to complete job properly and effectively.
    • Transport machine parts, tools, equipment and other material between work areas and storage using cranes, hoists or dollies.
    • Operate machine tools such as lathes and grinders to fabricate parts require during overhaul, maintenance or set-up of machinery.
    • Advance drafting and cnc programming.
    • Assign to FCC maintenance team.
    • Design and fabricate machinery moving dollies.
    More millwright duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the millwright job description is a good way to get more applicants. A millwright salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a millwright in Mississippi may be lower than in Nevada, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level millwright. Additionally, a millwright with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average millwright salary

    $51,176yearly

    $24.60 hourly rate

    Entry-level millwright salary
    $36,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 20, 2025

    Average millwright salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$70,417$34
    2Connecticut$63,094$30
    3Washington$57,404$28
    4Illinois$57,028$27
    5Louisiana$55,031$26
    6Oregon$54,560$26
    7Ohio$53,593$26
    8Wisconsin$53,424$26
    9Nebraska$53,371$26
    10New York$52,431$25
    11South Dakota$52,273$25
    12Michigan$51,939$25
    13Arizona$50,263$24
    14Minnesota$50,130$24
    15Pennsylvania$50,051$24
    16Missouri$49,991$24
    17Indiana$49,177$24
    18Maryland$48,642$23
    19South Carolina$46,777$22
    20Colorado$46,607$22

    Average millwright salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1CVR Energy$89,416$42.993
    2Foss & Co$87,019$41.841
    3Sierra Pacific Industries$83,351$40.0723
    4Harley-Davidson$82,161$39.50
    5Westinghouse Appliances Australia$81,934$39.395
    6Jacobs Engineering Group$76,397$36.73
    7Hensel Phelps$74,490$35.818
    8Sandia National Labs$73,523$35.35
    9Daimler Trucks North America$72,755$34.985
    10Kohler Co.$71,644$34.448
    11BWX Technologies$70,651$33.974
    12Ford Motor$70,578$33.936
    13Merck$69,315$33.329
    14ASR Group$69,015$33.1814
    15Anheuser-Busch$67,896$32.6423
    16Northern Star Industries$66,550$32.001
    17Wanzek Construction$66,004$31.73
    18Lear$65,971$31.723
    19Gavilon$65,494$31.491
    20Mercedes-Benz USA$65,273$31.385
  4. Writing a millwright job description

    A millwright job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a millwright job description:

    Millwright job description example

    Occidental Chemical Corporation (OxyChem) is a leading North American manufacturer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins, chlorine and caustic soda – key building blocks for a variety of indispensable products such as plastics, pharmaceuticals and water treatment chemicals. Other OxyChem products include caustic potash, chlorinated organics, sodium silicates, chlorinated isocyanurates and calcium chloride. OxyChem's market position is among the top three producers in the United States in 2021 for the principal products it manufactures and markets. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company has manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.

    In a fast-paced industry that demands precision, we create a supportive workplace where the safety and well-being of our employees are paramount. We are committed to rewarding top performers, offering very competitive pay and benefits, and providing tremendous career development opportunities.

    We are looking for an experienced and self-motivated individual to fill the position of Millwright with our Chemical Manufacturing Facility located in Wichita, Kansas.

    Essential Job Duties :

    Maintain protection of the environment and the health and safety of our employees, customers, and the communities in which we operate and/or transport our products, as our highest priority.

    Monitor condition of rotating machinery utilizing parameters including vibration, temperature, pressures, flows and currents. Must be able to take field vibration readings, and understand basic data.

    Understand and assess the daily operation of various types of equipment including centrifuges, reciprocating and centrifugal compressors, conveyors, screw feeders, blowers and pumps. Based on assessment, provide recommendations to improve reliability.

    Maintain equipment to design specifications including, but not limited to, centrifugal pumps, reciprocating pumps & compressors, fans, gear reducers/increasers & other mechanical equipment (valves, operators, testing tools). Replace pump seals, mechanical seals, pump packing. Provide proper alignment for all rotating equipment.

    Perform preventative/predictive maintenance and troubleshoot problems. Determine material needs, sequence of operations, and job methods including the use of a computer for storing and using information for preventive/predictive maintenance.

    Be familiar with SAP, RMP, warehouse parts management, design specifications, and applicable MI procedures.

    Performs work associated with fabrication, assembly, disassembly and repair of vessels, movement and set-up of equipment.

    *Qualifications*

    High School Diploma or GED

    A minimum of 3 years mechanical experience in millwright activities in an industrial environment

    Ability and willingness to serve as member of Emergency Response Team.

    Must be able to read process flow diagrams, P&IDs, mechanical drawings and follow mechanical specifications.

    Able to work overtime, weekends and holidays as needed to maintain a 24/7 operating plant.

    Ability to read, speak, and write English.

    High proficiency in Microsoft applications.

    Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

    Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work as part of a team.

    Must possess valid driver’s license.

    Physical requirements – Must be able to lift 40 lbs, climb ladders and stairs. Walking, bending, stooping is required. Must be able to wear personal protective equipment including the use of a respirator. Must be able to respond to visual and audible alarms.

    Additional Desired Qualifications

    Good working knowledge of SAP.

    Manual lathe operation experience.

    Occidental is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, political preference, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

  5. Post your job

    To find millwrights for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any millwrights they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level millwrights with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your millwright job on Zippia to find and recruit millwright candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit millwrights, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new millwright

    Once you've decided on a perfect millwright candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a millwright?

Before you start to hire millwrights, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire millwrights pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $51,176 per year for a millwright, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for millwrights in the US typically range between $17 and $34 an hour.

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