Millwright in Alaska: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Alaska employs 300 millwrights, with a statewide median of $76,940 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Alaska licensing picture, and where to train.

What Millwrights Earn in Alaska (May 2025)

Alaska median pay: $76,940 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $54,270
Experienced (75th percentile): $85,960
Top earners (90th percentile): $92,350
Employed in Alaska: 300
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,110 (May 2024)

What That Pay Is Worth in Alaska

Prices in Alaska run about 2% above the national average (cost-of-living index 102.4 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $76,940 median is worth closer to $75,137 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Alaska (2024–2034)

Alaska is projected to grow millwrights employment +12.1%, faster than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Alaska License and Certification Requirements

No state license; UBC Millwright apprenticeship — regulated by the No Alaska state license — union apprenticeship path.

Alaska does not license millwrights.
Apply to a UBC Millwrights regional apprenticeship (earn-while-you-learn, ~4 years).
Complete on-the-job training plus related instruction in precision machinery installation and alignment.

Official requirements: No Alaska state license — union apprenticeship path →

Training in Alaska

Strong pay for precision mechanical work. Alaska's oil/gas, mining, and seafood-processing facilities hire; remote rotations are common.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Alaska include:

University of Alaska Anchorage — Certificate / Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like mechanical puzzles, want solid union wages, and are comfortable with industrial environments.

Think twice if: Heavy lifting, industrial noise, and working around large moving machinery sounds miserable rather than interesting.

Why it's resilient: Millwrights install and maintain industrial machinery — precision mechanical work that requires on-site problem solving in manufacturing plants and facilities.

First Steps

Contact the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) Millwright division or check local industrial union apprenticeship openings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do millwrights make in Alaska?

The median wage for millwrights in Alaska is $76,940 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $54,270, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $92,350. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Millwright in Alaska?

No state license; UBC Millwright apprenticeship, overseen by the No Alaska state license — union apprenticeship path. Alaska does not license millwrights.

Is being a Millwright a good career in Alaska?

Millwrights install and maintain industrial machinery — precision mechanical work that requires on-site problem solving in manufacturing plants and facilities.

Where can I train to become a Millwright in Alaska?

Real Alaska options include University of Alaska Anchorage. Most millwrights start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Millwright a growing career in Alaska?

Alaska projects millwrights employment to change +12.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Alaska statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9044. Licensing summary compiled from the No Alaska state license — union apprenticeship path (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Alaska wages · Alaska licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.