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

Skilled trades

Arkansas employs 1,140 millwrights, with a statewide median of $56,310 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Arkansas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Millwrights Earn in Arkansas (May 2025)

Arkansas median pay: $56,310 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $36,640
Experienced (75th percentile): $62,450
Top earners (90th percentile): $76,140
Employed in Arkansas: 1,140
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,110 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for millwrights in major Arkansas markets:

Memphis: $58,930 (190 employed)
Fort Smith: $50,040 (50 employed)
Fayetteville: $48,410 (130 employed)
Little Rock: $48,360 (190 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Arkansas

Prices in Arkansas run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 86.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $56,310 median stretches to roughly $64,799 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Arkansas (2024–2034)

Arkansas is projected to grow millwrights employment +4.6%, faster than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 100 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Arkansas License and Certification Requirements

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

Arkansas 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 Arkansas state license — union apprenticeship path →

Training in Arkansas

Strong pay for precision mechanical work. Arkansas's manufacturing, steel, and paper base hires; some travel for installs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Arkansas include:

Arkansas State University Three Rivers — Certificate
Arkansas State University-Beebe — Associate
Arkansas State University-Newport — Certificate
Black River Technical College — 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 Arkansas?

The median wage for millwrights in Arkansas is $56,310 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $36,640, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $76,140. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

Is being a Millwright a good career in Arkansas?

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

Which Arkansas metros pay millwrights the most?

Among Arkansas metro areas, Memphis leads at $58,930, followed by Fort Smith ($50,040), Fayetteville ($48,410). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Millwright in Arkansas?

Real Arkansas options include Arkansas State University Three Rivers, Arkansas State University-Beebe, Arkansas State University-Newport. Most millwrights start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Millwright a growing career in Arkansas?

Arkansas projects millwrights employment to change +4.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 100 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), Arkansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9044. Licensing summary compiled from the No Arkansas 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 Arkansas wages · Arkansas 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.