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.
Millwright responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real millwright resumes:
- 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.
- Be a problem solver with the young and inexperience millwrights.
- Assist young and inexperience millwrights in problem solving as needed.
- Install elevator shaft, demo, rigging LOTO, and ppe at all times
- Insure all work are done using the proper work clearances and LOTO requirements.
- Implement facility repairs and maintenance, including pipe fitting, electrical conduit and plumbing.
- Install, levele, and align pumps, agitators, and crump machine conveyors.
- Work in factories, power plants and other industrial settings to move, assemble, install or dismantle machinery.
- Direct crews on setup and welding procedures to meet company standards.utilize micrometers I.D., O.D.
- Repair or replace equipment on ladders, scaffolding, hydraulic lifts, and in crawl spaces and confine spaces.
Millwright skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Millwrights are proficient in Hand Tools, Hoists, and Dismantle. They’re also known for soft skills such as Mechanical skills, Troubleshooting skills, and Manual dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Millwrights that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 15%
Use of hand tools, hammers and levels, as well as equipment for welding, brazing, and cutting.
- Hoists, 8%
Repair of induction welders, pipe collators, cranes, hoists and various conveyor systems for this sprinkler pipe manufacturer.
- Dismantle, 8%
Assemble, dismantle, or reassemble equipment or machinery, install equipment or attachments on machinery or related structures.
- Work Ethic, 5%
Maintain a strong work ethic and take pride in my work no matter how small or how large.
- Cranes, 4%
Steel Fabrication - Installed/Remove machinery and production lines - Medium/Heavy crane operator, Heavy Forklift Operator
- Preventative Maintenance, 4%
Identified and promoted preventative maintenance programs for high tech machinery in manufacturing facilities in the western United States.
"hand tools," "hoists," and "dismantle" are among the most common skills that millwrights use at work. You can find even more millwright responsibilities below, including:
Mechanical skills. The most essential soft skill for a millwright to carry out their responsibilities is mechanical skills. This skill is important for the role because "industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights use technical manuals and sophisticated diagnostic equipment to figure out why machines are not working." Additionally, a millwright resume shows how their duties depend on mechanical skills: "operated remote overhead cranes and performed generalmechanical repairs. "
Troubleshooting skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling millwright duties is troubleshooting skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights must observe, diagnose, and fix problems that a machine may be having." According to a millwright resume, here's how millwrights can utilize troubleshooting skills in their job responsibilities: "maintained hoists, performed repairs and troubleshooting on automatic plating machines. "
Manual dexterity. This is an important skill for millwrights to perform their duties. For an example of how millwright responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights must have a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination when handling very small parts." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a millwright: "read diagrams and schematic drawings and service manuals to determine work procedures. ".
The three companies that hire the most millwrights are:
- West Fraser266 millwrights jobs
- Tradesmen International188 millwrights jobs
- Honeywell53 millwrights jobs
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Compare different millwrights
Millwright vs. Industrial maintenance technician
An 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. Other duties include collaborating with the production team, preparing maintenance reports, and instructing and guiding new employees. An industrial maintenance technician also assesses the machinery's functionality and fabricates parts for machine upgrades and repair.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between millwrights and industrial maintenance technician. For instance, millwright responsibilities require skills such as "dismantle," "work ethic," "preventative maintenance," and "strong work ethic." Whereas a industrial maintenance technician is skilled in "plumbing," "electrical systems," "production machines," and "electrical equipment." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Industrial maintenance technicians really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $53,065. Comparatively, millwrights tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $67,161.The education levels that industrial maintenance technicians earn slightly differ from millwrights. In particular, industrial maintenance technicians are 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a millwright. Additionally, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Millwright vs. Industrial maintenance mechanic
An 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. They also write resolution reports for reference and recommend supplies and resources to avoid the reoccurrence of system problems and downtimes. An industrial maintenance mechanic must have excellent organizational and analytical skills to measure and calibrate instruments properly and identify inconsistencies.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, millwright responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "dismantle," "work ethic," "preventative maintenance," and "strong work ethic." Meanwhile, an industrial maintenance mechanic has duties that require skills in areas such as "plumbing," "production machines," "electrical systems," and "preventive maintenance." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Industrial maintenance mechanics earn a lower average salary than millwrights. But industrial maintenance mechanics earn the highest pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $52,513. Additionally, millwrights earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $67,161 annually.industrial maintenance mechanics earn similar levels of education than millwrights in general. They're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Millwright vs. Industrial mechanic
An industrial mechanic maintains and repairs equipment and any other industrial types of machinery in a factory. Industrial mechanics manage the operation of machinery like production machinery, packaging equipment, and conveying systems. They need to use protective equipment like safety glasses and hardhats as well as follow safety precautions during operations. It is their responsibility to make sure that all industrial machines function well through preventive maintenance service and troubleshooting.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, millwrights are more likely to have skills like "work ethic," "preventative maintenance," "strong work ethic," and "scissor lifts." But a industrial mechanic is more likely to have skills like "production machines," "plumbing," "electrical systems," and "safety standards."
Industrial mechanics earn the best pay in the transportation industry, where they command an average salary of $56,878. Millwrights earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $67,161.industrial mechanics typically earn similar educational levels compared to millwrights. Specifically, they're 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Millwright vs. Industrial maintenance millwright
Types of millwright
Updated January 8, 2025
